l-ordered hearts we oft are fain to roam,
As men go forth who find unquietness at home.

--Richard Chenevix Trench.

A mind from every evil thought set free
I count the noblest gift of Deity.

--Aeschylus, tr. by Frederic Rowland Marvin.

A stone makes not great rivers turbid grow;
When saints are vexed their shallowness they show.

--Saadi.

Yes, Lord, one great eternal yes
To all my Lord shall say;
To what I know, or yet shall know,
In all the untried way.

Good striving
Brings thriving.
Better a dog who works
Than a lion who shirks.

--From the Persian.

HUMILITY

MEEKNESS, WEAKNESS, SELFLESSNESS

A LAST PRAYER

Father, I scarcely dare to pray,
So clear I see, now it is done,
That I have wasted half my day
And left my work but just begun.

So clear I see that things I thought
Were right, or harmless, were a sin;
So clear I see that I have sought
Unconscious, selfish aims to win;

So clear I see that I have hurt
The souls I might have helped to save;
That I have slothful been, inert,
Deaf to the calls Thy leaders gave.

In outskirts of thy kingdom vast,
Father, the humblest spot give me;
Set me the lowliest task thou hast;
Let me, repentant, work for thee.

--Helen Hunt Jackson.

A LOWLY HEART

Thy home is with the humble, Lord!
The simplest are the best,
Thy lodging is in childlike hearts:
Thou makest there thy rest.

Dear Comforter! Eternal Love!
If thou wilt stay with me,
Of lowly thoughts and simple ways
I'll build a house for thee.

Who made this beating heart of mine
But Thou, my heavenly guest?
Let no one have it, then, but thee,
And let it be thy rest.

--Lyra Catholica.

Before the eyes of men let duly shine thy light,
But ever let thy life's best part be out of sight.

--Richard Chenevix Trench.

KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

I.

The Man who Loved the Names of Things
Went forth beneath the skies
And named all things that he beheld,
And people called him wise.
An unseen presence walked with him
Forever by his side,
The wedded mistress of his soul--
For Knowledge was his bride;
She named the flowers, the weeds, the trees,
And all the growths of all the seas.