GRAINS OF GOLD

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1908, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD

A THOUGHT FROM THE PSALMS When I behold the heavens, O my God,

How petty seem the things of this brief life! How weak my heart beneath the chastening rod ! How cowardly my spirit in the strife !

When I behold the heavens, where each star Is as a seraph's shining heart of flame, My sins, like myriad hands, press me afar From Thee, O God, and low I bow in shame

When I behold the heavens all aglow

With dawnlight from dark shadow-lands made free, Hope stirs within me, and, somehow, I know That Thou hast made the stars and heavens for me. — ' Aye Maria.'

A light heart and cheerful face are the heritage of those who possess contented minds. — Father Hayes.

So long as the multitude are made use of, and not loved and helped, so long shall the world be full of misery and crime. — Bishop Spalding.

Happiness is a great power of holiness. Thus kind words by their power of producing happiness- have also a power of producing holiness, and so of winning men to God.

The benefactors of humanity are those who have thought great thoughts about her. Her benefactors are the poets, the artists, the inventors, the apostles, and all pure hearts. — ' Amiel's Journal.'

A great people and petty thoughts or revengeful feelings go ill together. The strong do not wail ; the brave make no outcry. In proportion to one's power should be his forbearance and self-control. — Bishop Spalding.

Never be discouraged because good things get on so slowly here ; and never fail to do daily that good which lies next to your hand. Do not be in a hurry, but be diligent. . Enter into the sublime patience of the Lord. Learn to endure meekly whatever trials may come upon you in your every-day life.

The statement that we are all creatures of habit is far more true than the ordinary run of such general observations. One thing is certain in this respect — we can usually be what we want to be if we want hard enough ! It is simply a question of the desire being well backed by the will. But few persons have a proper appreciation of the importance of training the will. Few seem to realise that in this lies the solution of the problem of happiness, which is really not much of a problem, but largely a habit. — Leigh Mitchell Hodges.