OCTOBER TWENTY-THIRD

• Anne Oldfield died 1730.
• Robert Bridges born 1844.
• Mollie Elliot Seawell born 1860.

O youth whose hope is high,

Who doth to truth aspire,

Whether thou live or die,

O look not back nor tire.

Thou that art bold to fly

Through tempest, flood and fire,

Nor dost not shrink to try

Thy heart in torments dire—

If thou canst Death defy,

If thy faith is entire,

Press onward, for thine eye

Shall see thy heart's desire.

—Robert Bridges.

Doubt indulged becomes doubt realized. To determine to do anything is half the battle. Courage is victory, timidity is defeat.

—Nelson.

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions.

—Ezekiel 2. 6.

Gracious Father, try me again by the courage I have to-day, if thou art judging me by the fear I held yesterday. Help me to see that wavering is misleading and temperament is deceptive. May I learn self-control. Amen.