SEPTEMBER EIGHTEENTH

• Trajan, Roman emperor, born 1584.
• James Shirley born 1596.
• Samuel Johnson born 1709.
• Joseph Story born 1779.

There is no greater happiness than to be able to look on a life usefully and virtuously employed: to trace our own purposes in existence by such tokens that excite neither shame nor sorrow.
—Dr. Johnson.

The perfect poise that comes-from self-control,

The poetry of action, rhythmic, sweet—

The unvexed music of the body and soul

That the Greeks dreamed of, made at last complete.

Our stumbling lives attain not such a bliss;

Too often, while the air we vainly beat,

Love's perfect law of liberty we miss.

—Annie Matheson.

Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. 

—Acts 23. 1.

Heavenly Father, may I not confuse my life with rebellion, but through thy guidance find peace. Help me through the perplexities that may keep me from the quietness of to-day. Keep me in sight of the great plan of life, that I may grow steadfastly toward thee. Amen.