November 14

For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.—Ps. cvii, 9.

Soul of mine, Wouldst thou choose for life a motto half Divine? Let this be thy guard and guide Through the future reaching wide; Whether the good or ill betide, Rise higher.

There is no one but what has more or less strong desires to be better than he is. The heart will, at times, cry out for something higher, purer, nobler, sweeter. . . . The desire may, at first, be very feeble—so feeble that it is almost smothered by the rush of carnal propensities; but it should be nursed, cultivated and strengthened. A certain one says: "Even a single live coal, though burning feeble and low, if fanned and fed, may kindle into a bright and vehement flame. And so a single spark of spiritual desire, jealously watched and gently handled, may, as by a process of evolution, soon flame up in rapt and fervent prayer and burst into a beautiful life, and become a burning and shining light. But extinguish that spark, quench that live coal, stifle conviction and strangle desire, and your light may go out in darkness and your soul be chilled down to zero, and held firm and fast in the grip of spiritual and eternal death." All desires toward the good, the true and the pure are prompted by the Holy Spirit, and they should be promptly and persistently encouraged by the possessor of them. Oh! how many have failed here, and forever stopped short of the kingdom.