February 8

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.—PROV. xxix, 25.

Never despair, with strength and health— Something beyond the reach of wealth. Rain must fall, and the heavens must frown, And flowers must fade, and fields grow brown, And riches are winged like thistle-down. Out from the ribs of the rocky earth Comes up the joys of the winter hearth; Up from the deep, dark caves of the sea Come the pearls of the kings to be; And out of the flint we crush the gold, And water with sweat the seed in mould; And the sword that never forsakes the sheath Shall win no worth the heavens beneath! Then still hold up with a manly brow, And meet the storm that is driving now; As long as there are millions to feed; Millions to clothe, and millions to lead, So long must the loom, the plow, and the pen Demand the toil of earnest men. Only be true to yourself and the Right, And, chasing the steps of the dismal night, The sun will flood you with cloudless light.

Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider breaks his web twenty times, twenty times will he mend it. Make up your mind to do a thing, and you will do it. Fear not, if trouble comes upon you. Keep your spirits up, though the day may be a dark one. If the sun is going down, look up to the stars; if the earth is dark, keep your eyes on Heaven.

ANONYMOUS.

There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope. GEORGE ELIOT.