The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

a prayer

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A brother sent this to me--enjoy!

"Thou art the blessed God, happy in Thyself, source of happiness in Thy
creatures, my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder. Thou hast produced
and sustained me, supported and indulged me, saved and kept me; Thou art in
every situation able to meet my needs and miseries.

May I live by Thee, live for Thee, never be satisfied with my Christian
progress but as I resemble Christ; and may conformity to His principles,
temper, and conduct grow hourly in my life. Let Thy unexampled love
constrain me into holy obedience, and render my duty my delight. If others
deem my faith folly, my meekness infirmity, my zeal madness, my hope
delusion, my actions hypocrisy, may I rejoice to suffer for Thy name.

Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country of everlasting delights,
that paradise-land which is my true inheritance. Support me by the strength
of heaven that I may never turn back, or desire false pleasures that will
disappear into nothing. As I pursue my heavenly journey by Thy grace let me
be known as a man with no aim but that of a burning desire for Thee, and the
good and salvation of my fellow men."

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