September 27

Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.—JAMES iv. 17.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever,

Do noble things, not dream them all day long;

And so make life, death, and the great forever

One grand, eternal song.

CHARLES KINGSLEY.

"Do not, because you can do so little for others, do nothing. Look around you, first in your own family, then amongst your friends and neighbors, and see whether there be not some one whose little burden you can lighten, whose little care you may lessen, whose little pleasures you can promote, whose little wants and wishes you can gratify. Giving up cheerfully our own occupations to attend to others is one of the little kindnesses and self-denials; doing little things that nobody likes to do, but which must be done by some one, is another."

We do not come to our work by accident. We did not choose it for ourselves; but under much which may wear the appearance of accident and self-choosing, came to it by God's leading and appointment. How will this consideration help us to appreciate justly the dignity of our work, though it were far humbler work, even in the eyes of men, than that of any of us here.

RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH.