Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-14
G. II A I

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps wrote an even
ing prayer that at this the evening OF
the year. might be used by everyone of
us.
Take unto myself. Father,
This folded day OF thine,
This weary way OF mine;
Its ragged corners cut me yet,
on stiIl the jar and fret.
Father do not forget
That / am tired
With this day Of thine.
Breathe with thy pure breath. watch
ing Father.
on this marred day OF thine.
This wandering day OF mine;
Be patient with its blur and blot,
Wash il white OF stain and spot,
Reproachful eyes. remember not
That I have grieved thee
on this day OF thine"
To many the year has been full of rug
Eed corners and the wounds left in mem
ory are apt to make US impatient and
critical but IL we stop to consider the
other side our attitude TO our heavenly
Father. we may see that He has more
reasons TO be grieved and critical than
We have.
A girl said TO me. Miss Thomas. have
helped that girl until she thinks / belong
10 her She never even thanks me for
what I do" 1 knew there was justice in
what she said. and my answer was, Are
you a Christian?" She gave me a little
glance and said, a halfway sort But
don't begin TO preach to me-
No I said. Il am only going TO ask
you II you have done as much for Jessie
as God has done for you? II you can say
"a rx~,T in
think Jessie should appreciate what
you've done for her. we won't say another
word God sent His Son into the world to
redeem il. and you know where any wo-
man would be If Jesus had not been so
emphatic in His teaching the right sof
women and the fact that all the COM
mandments were made for both sides of
the house"
Last night heard a fine lesson on for
giveness. and this thought was brought
out: Jesus says. IL your adversary, BROTH
er. sister, OF whoever il may be. refuses
after all the efforts you make then you
most regard him OF her as a heather.
And / believe many OF you have missed
the key to that commandment II does
not mean to shun nor think yourself bet
ter. but do to him or her as you do to
the heather. and that is pray for and
ul 70 VIII INaI UeaTN-
Has this been your attitude to the
friend that is now estranged? Do you
really pray for her. or do you tell God
what you have tried to do and use IL as
an argument to show Him that you are
faultIess? Sometimes hear prayers that
remind me OF naughty children who.
knowing they have perhaps deliberately
transgressed rules. try to throw the blame
on others. and make excuses.
Did you ever try making presents for
people toward whom you feel bitter2
don't believe that any one can willingly
sit down and crochet or sew or knit some
thing for any one and not put pleasant
thoughts in her work. I am sure OF it.
OF course II you do the work in Phari-
saical way. and with the express inten-
ton of making her feel small YOU are
only sleeping your soul i'm the gall of
bitterness Don't say. IF she needed my
help. I'd give IL to her. but give of your
good thoughts, your pleasures.
Let US all look over the past year and
after we have tried TO make things better.
let us pray
Breathe with thy pure breath. watch
ing Father,
On this marred year of thine,
his wandering year OF mine
BE patient with its blur and blot,
Wash il white OF stain and spot
Reproachful eyes. remember not
That = have grieved thee
I this year OF thine
Faithfully yours,