James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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rayer September 2 7, 1910 LL-WISE and Almighty Father of Mercies, we come to thee with thanksgiving for the past and present, and with trustful hope for the future. Thy blessings have followed us, and thy gracious promises beckon us for- ward. Through the days of summer thou hast clothed the world in beauty, and in these days of autumn thou hast crowned it with abundant cheer. Thou hast aiven us sight to be- hold these beauties, and thou hast endowed us with the power to receive all thy gifts. Thou hast made us rich with thy benefits, but thou hast also given us hands to work; thou hast set opportunity before us, and thou hast set the call of duty ringing in our souls. Give us strength, God, to rise to our tasks; give our hands the skill to achieve! We thank thee, Lord, for this place of work. We thank thee for the revelation given us here of the world ' s need, and for the vision of that need supplied by us. We thank thee for the ways and means of work that are here afforded us. and for the inspiration of high hopes and noble aims. We thank thee for these beautiful surroundings, in forest and field and arching sky. We thank thee for the hills and mountains, these sym- bols of majesty and strength, these age-old guardians of the spirit of liberty, these silent witnesses of love and law. We thank thee, Lord, for this day — this day of new friendships and of old friendships renewed. We thank thee for the true school spirit that lias blessed this place hitherto, and for the promise of greater bless- 13

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Reading September 2 7, 1910 WISE man will hear, and wil man of understanding shall increase learning; and a ttain unto wise counsels. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. . . . Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thv head, and chains about thv neck. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. . . . When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth an derstanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than tine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth: by understanding hath he established the heavens. 12

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ings still to come. We pray thee that the good spirit of sympathy, of co-operation, of kindness, of confidence that has prevailed may still pre- vail; and we pray thee that the hopes now centered here may not he dis- appointed. We know. Lord, that the light of many a home has come to us. We know that eves of love are now gazing hitherward. We know that the hopes of many true hearts are now being lifted to thv throne. () Lord, we join our prayers with the prayers of those at home, we join our petitions with the petitions of those we love, and we pray thv choicest blessings upon them; and we pray that their hearts ' desire for us mav be fulfilled. And now, Lord, lead us to our work; give us strength and wisdom for each task: and lead us by thy grace far on toward the end of our vision: we ask it in the name of the Great Teacher and Worker, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 11