September 17

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.—I THESS. v, 21, 22.

Evil is wrought by want of thought

As well as want of heart.

THOMAS HOOD.

Be on your guard, and strive, and pray,

To drive all evil thoughts away.

Evil thoughts are worse enemies than lions and tigers; for we can keep out of the way of wild beasts, but bad thoughts win their way everywhere. The cup that is full, will hold no more; keep your heads and hearts full of good thoughts, that bad thoughts may find no room to enter.

CHARLES NORTHEND.

It is trite but true, "Avoid the beginnings of evil." You cannot tell what one hateful thought may end in, therefore learn this great lesson—to guard well those avenues of the soul which seem to you the fairest and the nearest passages to God; to be humble, watchful, and prayerful at these very points where you think your character is noblest and your heart most faithful. Hear always in your spirit Christ's words to Peter, "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

STOPFORD A. BROOKE.

The evil word—and oh, remember this—is a step, a long step, beyond the evil thought; and it is a step toward the precipice's edge.

FREDERIC W. FARRAR.

An evil-speaker differs from an evil-doer only in the want of opportunity.

QUINTILLIAN.