October 18

Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.—PROV. iii, 5.

There is always a river to cross,

Always an effort to make,

If there is anything good to win,

Any rich prize to take.

Yonder's the fruit we crave,

Yonder the charming scene;

But deep and wide, with troubled tide,

Is the river that lies between.

So, ready to do and to dare,

Should we in our places stand,

Fulfilling the Master's will,

Fulfilling the soul's demand;

For though as the mountain high

The billows may war and toss,

They'll not overwhelm if the Lord's at the helm

When the difficult river we cross.

Making up one's mind, even if it can only be to meet what comes courageously, is the secret of "taking heart."

A. S. HARDY.

I've been a great deal happier since I have given up thinking about what is easy and pleasant, and being discontented because I couldn't have my own will. Our life is determined for us; and it makes the mind very free when we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is laid upon us, and doing what is given us to do.

GEORGE ELIOT.