June 29
Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.--I KINGS xx. 11.

Put on the whole armor of God.--EPH. vi. 11.

  Was I not girded for the battle-field?
  Bore I not helm of pride and glittering sword?
  Behold the fragments of my broken shield,
  And lend to me Thy heavenly armor, Lord!
ANON.

Oh, be at least able to say in that day,--Lord, I am no hero. I have been
careless, cowardly, sometimes all but mutinous. Punishment I have deserved,
I deny it not. But a traitor I have never been; a deserter I have never
been. I have tried to fight on Thy side in Thy battle against evil. I have
tried to do the duty which lay nearest me; and to leave whatever Thou didst
commit to my charge a little better than I found it. I have not been good,
but I have at least tried to be good. Take the will for the deed, good
Lord. Strike not my unworthy name off the roll-call of the noble and
victorious army, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and
let me, too, be found written in the Book of Life; even though I stand the
lowest and last upon its list. Amen.
C. KINGSLEY.