January 7
Companions of the Way (Morning)That it may please Thee to forgive us all our negligences and ignorances.
"NEGLIGENCES and ignorances"—How often these weigh down our sorrowful, our well-nigh despairing spirits!
Against wilful sin long years of struggling fealty may have taught us to watch; but then, while we have gone gaily forward, eager and unafraid, a little duty has not even been guessed, a little kindness left undone, and "inasmuch as ye did it not" has filled the wide earth and air with the thunder of its judgment.
"So foolish was I, and ignorant, I was as a beast before Thee, nevertheless,"—ah, sorrowful heart, take comfort! "nevertheless I am continually with Thee. Thou hast holden me by my right hand," and since I have no wisdom, Thou will give me Thine, "Thou wilt guide me by Thy counsel, and afterward receive me"— "to glory"? No, I would not ask for that, but just receive me where, being with Thee, I cannot again mistake, or forget—or fail.
Thoughts of a Tertiary
This "Nevertheless" I carry in my bosom, an eternal Amulet of Hope.
SORROW FOR SIN
There was darkness. Let us draw near.