January 27

The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.—Ps. xxvii, 1, 2, 3.

This one thing will I do—most gratefully;

I will accept the life God gives to me,

And wear it proudly, wear it patiently.

Moulded and fashioned by His mighty hand,

He gives to me the life that He has planned,

And bids me take and see and understand,

Among the millions of eternity.

Plain as thou art, there is no one like thee.

O life! I bow before thee reverently;

High privilege—a gift so rare to take!

So I accept it, and for Thy great sake

Of this the life Thou giv'st

The best will make.

Life is the greatest good that can possibly come unto a creature, the full blessedness and perfection of his nature; for by it is meant a continuance, with growth and increase, in all holiness, happiness, honor, and immortality. And what more sweet than life, wherein all pleasures are enjoyed?

REV. JOHN DOWNHAME.