Stand Back and Observe the Emptiness of Thought

February 3.

Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts: and see if
there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

PSALM 139, verses 23 and 24.


Save us from the evil tongue,
From the heart that thinketh wrong,
From the sins, whate'er they be,
That divide the soul from Thee.

Anonymous


Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also
will be the character of thy mind; for the soul
is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then with a
continuous series of such thoughts as these:
for instance, that where a man can live, there
he can also live well. But he must live in a palace:
well, then, he can also live well in a palace.

MARCUS ANTONIUS.


Who is there that sets himself to the task
of steadily watching his thoughts for the
space of one hour, with the view of
preserving his mind in a simple, humble,
healthful condition, but will speedily
discern in the multiform, self-reflecting,
self-admiring emotions, which, like locusts,
are ready to "eat up every green thing in his
land," a state as much opposed to simplicity
and humility as night is to day?

M. A. KELTY.