The following lines were found on some scraps of paper belonging to some stranger: ... They have just told me of a poor destitute woman; I gave them ten pence for her; it was my duty to set an example. And now, my God, for Thee, for Thy sake only, I mean to send her five shillings, which I shall deduct from my personal expenses.
... To-morrow Henry is coming to see me, that poor Henry I loved so [pg 164]dearly, but who has grown cold towards his old friend. He wished to grieve me, and little knows that I found it out. Help me, Lord, to remember I have forgiven him, and help me to receive him cordially.
Thou alone knowest all I have suffered.
... What a happy day was yesterday! happy with regard to heavenly things, for alas! my poor heart suffered.
Yesterday was a festival. The snow outside kept every one at home by their own firesides, and I was left lonely.... Ah, yes, my heart felt sad, but my spirit was peaceful; I tried to talk to God, just as if I could really see Him at my side, and gradually I felt comforted, and spent my evening with a sweet sense of God's Presence.... What I said, what I wrote, I know not; but the remembrance of [pg 165]yesterday remains to me as some sweet, refreshing perfume.
Perhaps at the Last Day all that will remain worth recording of a life full of activity and zeal will be those little deeds that were done solely beneath the Eye of God....
My God, teach me to live with an abiding sense of Thy Presence, laboring for Thee, suffering for Thee, guided by Thee, ... and Thee alone!