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exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for though art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; For in the time of

of whom shall I be afraid?

trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me.

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the

goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Death of a Public Man.

Let us call to remembrance the great and the good through whom the Lord hath wrought glory and honor; such as were leaders of the people, men renowned for power, for counsel, for understanding and foresight; wise and eloquent in their teachings, and by their knowledge made fit helpers of their fellow-men.

They were musicians, poets, just rulers, wise seekers after truth. They were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times. They have left a name behind them, and their remembrance is sweet as honey in all mouths. And, though some have left no memorial behind them, yet their righteousness is not lost, and the blessed results of their goodness cannot be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their work lives on forever.

The people will tell of their wisdom, and aftertimes will show forth their praise. For the memorial of virtue is immortal, because it is known with God and with men. While it is present,

men take example of it; and, when it is gone, they earnestly desire it. It weareth a crown forever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance, and the memory of the just shall be blessed. We mourn for them, saying: "Beautiful wast thou in thy life! How are the mighty ones fallen! Yet God shall not leave thy soul in the grave, nor suffer his holy ones to see corruption!"

Seeing therefore that we are compassed about with such a cloud of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us. And as they fought a good fight, finished their course, and held fast to their trust, so may we, taking them for an example.

Whatsoever things are true, and whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are just, and

whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely and of good report: if there is any virtue or anything worthy of praise, let us think on these things.

The Lord

Let us now praise famous men. hath wrought great glory by them, . . . men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding and declaring prophecies, . . . leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent in their instructions, . . . such as found out musical tunes and recited verses in writing, . . . all these were honored in their generation, and were the glory of their times. These be of them that have left a name behind, that their praises might be reported. . . . Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore.

While I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer. I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end. Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath my heart delighted in her: my foot went in the right way. . . I bowed down mine ear, . . . and got much learning. I profited therein: therefore will I ascribe glory to Him that giveth me wisdom.

I also came out as a drain from a river, and as a conduit into a garden. I said, I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed; and, lo! my brook became a river, and my river became a sea. . . . I will yet make doctrine

to shine as the morning, and will send her light afar off. I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages forever. Behold that I have not labored for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom.

· The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure. . . . He that giveth his mind to the law of the Most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of the ancient. . . . He will keep the sayings of renowned men; and where subtile parables are, he will be there also. He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences. . . . He will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men. . . . When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. . . . He shall show forth that which he hath learned.... Many shall commend his understanding, and so long as the world endureth it shall not be blotted out.

Let the counsel of thine own heart stand; for there is no man more faithful to thee than it. For a man's mind is sometimes wont to tell him more than seven watchmen that sit above in a high tower.

The Lord Almighty is God alone. . . . He filleth all things with his wisdom. . . . He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light.... The first man knew her not perfectly; no more shall the last find her out. For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her counsels profounder than the great deep.

Sentences from Ecclesiasticus.

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