March 19

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. For even Christ pleased not Himself.—ROM. xv, 1-3.

If on our daily course our mind

Be set to hallow all we find,

New treasures still of countless price

God will provide for sacrifice.

The trivial round, the common task,

Will furnish all we ought to ask:

Room to deny ourselves: a road

To bring us daily nearer God.

JOHN KEBLE.

Look carefully into it, and you will find that many offenses against society and many sins against God have their origin because of want of self-denial. I am not sure but I could put it stronger than that, and say that almost all, if not all, the crimes against the State, and disobedience to God's requirements, have their origin in want of self-denial.

By persisting in a habit of self-denial, we shall, beyond what I can express, increase the inward powers of the mind, and shall produce that cheerfulness and greatness of spirit as will fit us for good purposes; and shall not have lost pleasure, but changed it; the soul being then filled with its own intrinsic pleasures.

HENRY MORE.

Every man and woman trying to be honest, pure, and helpful in this world finds that the very highest work set before them is self-sacrifice. Very few of us have the chance of heroic self-devotion, but every day brings the petty, wearing sacrifice which weighs full weight in God's scales.

SAMUEL OSGOOD.