Shaker Commonplace Book

A Resolve. Ella Wheeler.

As the dead year is clasped by a dead December So let your dead sins, with your dead days lie A new life is yours, and a new hope. Remember We build our own ladders, to climb to the sky. Stand out, in the sunlight of promise, forgetting Whatever the past held of sorrow or wrong. We waste half our time, in a useless regretting We sit by old tombs in the dark, too long.

Have you missed in your aim? the mark is still shining Did you faint in the race? then take breath for the next Did the clouds drive you back? see yonder their lining Were you tempted + fell? let it serve for a text. As each year hurries by, let it join that procession Of skeleton shapes that march down to the past. While you take your place in the line of progression With your eyes on the heavens, your face, to the blast.

I tell you the future holds no terrors [For] any sad soul, while the stars revolve If he will stand firm, on the grave of his errors.

And instead of regretting, resolve. Resolve. It is never too late to begin rebuilding Tho' all into ruin your life seems hurled For look! how the light of the New Year is gilding The worn wan face, of the bruised old world.

As you go through Life. " Ella Wheeler.

Don't look for the flaws, as you go thro life And even when you find them, It is wise & kind to be somewhat blind And look for the virtue behind them. For the cloudiest night, has a hint of light Some where in its shadows hiding, It is better by far, to look for a star Than the spots on the sun, abiding.

The current of life runs ever away To the bosom of God's great ocean Dont set your force, 'gainst the river's course And think to alter its motion. Dont waste a curse, on the Universe Remember it lived before you

Dont butt at the storm with your puny form, But bend, & let it go o'er you.

The world will never adjust it self To suit your whims, to the letter Some things must go wrong, your whole life long And the sooner you know it, the better. It is folly, to fight with the Infinie And go under, at last, in the wrestle. The wiser man, shapes into God's plan As the water shapes into a vessel.

Deathless.

In the heart of each mortal lies hidden A longing & love for the pure A longing so strong, & a love so great The radical part shall endure.

Over, around, and under us lies A love so boundless deep & broad, A love in naming, we speak of, as God Surely, no remnant of good ever dies. Belle Waldron

The Way of the World. Belle Waldron.

This world is a queer sort of place. As you journey along you will find You had better conceal any trouble you feel If you wish to make friends with mankind.

No matter how heavy your load Pray don't mention the fact, as you go And dont ask for a lift, while your burden you shift, Or your friends a cold shoulder will show.

If your heart is breaking with grief Or misfortune embitters your days You just bear it alone, without murmur or groan And the world will accord you its praise.

Since ever life's journey must be Along ways where the mortal crowd goes You'd best laugh & make friends For you'll compass your ends Much easier, than if you make foes.

Our Daily Bread Susan Coolidge

"Give me our daily bread," we pray And know but half of what we say The bread on which our bodies feed is but the moiety of our need. The soul, the heart, must nourished be And share the daily urgency. And tho' it may be bitter bread

On which our nobler parts are fed. No less we crave the daily dole O Lord of body, and of soul. The sting for pride, the smart for sin The purging draught, for self within.

The sorrows which are shuddering meet Not knowing the after taste of sweet. All these we ask for, when we pray "Give us our daily bread each day." Lord! have us not thirst, unfed Give us this but substantial bread. Until, these mortal deeds all past We sit at Thy full feast at last. The Bread of angels broken by Thee The wine of joy, poured constantly.