April 23

1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5 It is better to bear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to bear the song of fools:

6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

7 Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the begin-

ning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire willy concerning this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence, but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

"The very sweetness of a precious ointment—the very exquisiteness and delicacy of its odor—exposes it to be the more easily injured. It may be so tainted by the corruption of even a dead fly as to have its perfumes spoiled. By so seemingly trifling a cause may all the cost and skill bestowed on it by the apothecary be rendered of no avail. And how true a picture does this illustration exhibit of the fatal injury which a little folly is sure to inflict upon the good name of the man who is held in reputation for wisdom and honor. Indiscretions that would never be noticed in men of inferior character are ruinous to him. Nor is it difficult to understand how this result should arise. On a soiled garment even a fresh stain makes no very conspicuous mark, but a spot catches the eye at once on a snow-white robe."—Buchanan.

Closet Promise.—The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.—Prov. x. 22.

Let the world pass by unknown, Care is dead and sorrow flown; O'er His garment's outer fold I have all my burdens rolled; I will sleep, for God shall be Even in slumber blessing me.

As a callow bird may rest Swinging toftly in its nest, As a baby kept from harm In its mother's folding arm, So I rest secure with Thee; Even in sleep Thou blesses me. —Rose Terry Cooke.