Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

---A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)

最近两天玩的好兴奋——有点堕落了。

太喜欢Windows Mobile的手机了，多出来一个小计算机一样的。research乐几天，终于装上GPS乐。

1. 先是要订一个大一点的Micro SD卡。在Amazon上找了一个8G的。其实如果只装GPS的话，2G就够了。
2. 接下来下载些东西，几个文件放在skydrive的这个folder里面。
3. 把手机连上，在计算机上运行GarminMobileXTforWindowsMobile_5.0.0.20w。就是Garmin Mobile XT的主程序了，50020是版本号。安装的时候选装在storage card上。安装好以后先不要运行，不然的话就是出来一个Purchase/Trial之类的东西，而且死也连不到GPS。
4. 还有两个文件：
• GarminMobileXTFreeBasemap_4xxxx是免费的地图，只有interstate和一些主要的state road。
• GarminMobileXTSupportFiles_4xxxx是里面的语音文件什么的。都装上就好。
5. 然后是破解了。需要GPS的IMEI号码。两个方法：
1. 比较方便的。运行GPS，出来Purchase/Trial的以后，选连接GPS——根本连不到的。选skip，就可以看一下Garmin的界面。在Setting –> About 里面抄到GPS 的IME号。
2. 手机的IMEI号抄下来，在手机电池的下面找。然后用IMEI converter这个文件算号，得出的号码就是GPS的IMEI号了。
6. 然后是算号。用Garmin_Unlock_Generator_1_5_FID5DIGIT。
1. 先输入5中找到的GPS的IMEI，然后上面那个算出来的是主程序解锁，存在一个文本文件里，文件名存成"SW.UNL"。
2. 下面算出来的是地图解锁，combobox里面不一定都有，输入地图代码也行了。比方说2010的北美地图——就在"Custom Mapset"输入450。也存在一个文本文件中，叫"GMAPSUPP.UNL"。
7. 地图文件太大了，没有办法放在windows live 的skydrive里面。Google一下好了。各个地图的安装方法不太一样，下载的地方都会有一步一步的教程。
8. 装好地图以后，把两个unl文件复制到Storage Card/Garmin目录里面。
9. 运行Garmin Mobile XT就不会出现Purchase/Trial的东东了，没有什么东西挡着卫星的话，很快就能找到信号了。
10. 要是不行的话，就再算一组新的UNL号码试试看。

之后就是一些杂七杂八的bells and whistles乐。

到Garmin的网站上下载各种车辆。中文官方站的还有些很特别的东西，中秋节用的，有个屈原的还蛮搞的。还可以开辆警车，直升机，Black Pearl（Captain Sparrow的船），圣诞节的驯鹿……

还有各种语音的，就不推荐官方站了，Google 一个自己喜欢的罢。

还有些Future Study，过一阵子再去研究好了：

• 中文支持，中文语音

要是有人知道怎么搞了，发给我个链接哦。

上线来，竟然看到有人开始锄草了。叹息一下——我也来清理一下罢。

写点最近的research罢。等会儿哦，给我两三个小时。

一頭驢子的故事

 知道這間公司的人！更覺好笑嚕    (真是由小看大)

一個城裡男孩 Kenny 移居到了鄉下，從
一個農民那裡花 100 美元買了一頭驢，

這個農民同意第二天把驢帶來給他。

第二天農民來找 Kenny ：「對不起！小伙子，
我有一個壞消息要告訴你：那頭驢死了。」

Kenny 回答：「好吧，你把錢還給我就行了！」

農民說：「不行，我不能把錢還給你，因為我
已經把錢給花掉了。」

Kenny 說：「Ok ，那麼就把那頭死驢給我吧！」

農民很納悶：「你要那頭死驢幹嘛？」

Kenny 說：「我可以用那頭死驢作為幸運抽獎的獎品。」

農民叫了起來：「你不可能把一頭死驢作為抽獎獎品，
沒有人會要它的！」

Kenny 回答：「別擔心，看我的！我不告訴任何人
這頭驢是死的就行了。」

幾個月以後，農民遇到了 Kenny 。

農民問他：「那頭死驢後來怎麼樣了？」

Kenny 說：「我舉辦了一次幸運抽獎，並把那頭
驢作為獎品，我賣出了 499 張票，每張 2 塊錢，
就這樣，我得了 998 塊錢，扣除了向你買驢子的
100 塊錢，我還賺 898 塊錢！」

農民好奇地問：「難道沒有人對此表示不滿？」

Kenny 回答：「只有那個中獎的人表示不滿，
所以我把他買票的錢還給了他！」    

許多年後，長大了的 Kenny 成為了安隆 (Enron)
公司的總裁。
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
這篇類似寓言的文章，給了我們三個啟示：

1.小朋友要多用心思考、克服困境，以後才能做
大公司的總裁。

2.千萬不要想有抽獎就有好康的，詐騙集團都是
運用人的貪小便宜心態。

3. 公司的高階主管都嘛是會說謊話的，尤其總裁
是最會騙人的。

緊急禱告請求
請為在印度的教會禱告.極端佛教徒昨晚燒了20間教會,且計劃今晚在印度奧裡薩邦再毀滅200間教會.又有計劃在24小時裡殺害200個傳道人.全部的基督徒現在都藏在林子裡.請為此禱告,並轉發給一切你知道的代禱者,我們為他們的行為向上帝呼求 親愛的弟兄姊妹們，我們收到了以下的消息，請你們和我們一起為他們禱告，謝謝！
願神祝福你！

*激進印度教徒宗教滅絕基督徒遭燒死剁肉*(蘋果日報引述外國電信，其他中文媒體鮮有提及。引文如下:)

印度 東 北 部 爆 發 宗教滅 絕 行 動 ， 激 進 印 度教徒 在 過去 兩 星 期 瘋 狂 襲 擊 當 地 基 督 徒 ， 迫 他 們 改信 奉印 度教不 果 ， 就 活 生 生 將 他 們 燒 死 ， 婦 孺 更 被砍 成 肉 塊 ， 有 修 女 更遭 暴 徒 輪 姦， 多 達50,000名 基督 徒 被 迫 展 開 逃 亡 。 梵 蒂 岡 嚴 厲 譴 責 印 度教徒的 暴 行 。在 東 北 部 的 奧 里 薩 邦 （ Orissa ） ， 憤 怒的 印 度教徒 青 年 ， 連 日 來 手 持 木 棍 當 街 追 打 基督 徒， 縱 火 焚 燒教堂 、 孤 兒 院 和 基 督 徒 的 家 園 ，一 名 修 女 慘 遭 暴
徒 輪 姦 ， 孤 兒 院 工 人 被 監 生燒死 ； 一 個 懷 孕 7 個 月 的 婦 人 被 捉 住 後 ， 暴 徒 要她 詆毀 基 督教， 改 信 印 度教， 但 被 她 拒 絕 ，他們 把 她和 她 的 1 歲 大 兒 子 剁 成 肉 塊 。50,000 名 宗教難 民 倉皇 逃 命 ， 很 多 人 是 赤腳 逃 亡 ， 走 了超 過 200 公 里路 ， 穿 過 森 林 ， 才 到達 臨 時 避 難 所 暫 避 ， 在 森林要 靠 飲 雨 水 和 拾 食 物 充 飢 。這 場 宗教迫 害 行 動不 斷 升 級 ， 至 今 已 有 至 少 36 名 基 督 徒 遇 害 ，由於 暴 力 事 件 是 發 生 在 偏 遠村 莊 ， 估 計 實 ! 際 死 亡數 字 不 止 此 數 。 有 人 擔 心 暴 力 浪 潮 可 能 蔓 延 至全 國 各 地 ， 以 至 信 奉其 他 宗教的 信 徒 。 梵 蒂 岡 嚴厲 斥 責 暴 徒 的 行 為 ， 是 「 違 反 上 主 旨 意 和 人 性的 罪 行 」 。這 場 宗教滅 絕 行 動 ， 源 自 印 度 種 性 制度 ， 奧 里 薩 邦 是 全 印 度 最 貧 窮 地 區 ， 資 源 匱 乏，屬 於最低 層 的 賤 民 ， 為 了 擺 脫 種 性 的 世 世 代 代 迫 害， 改 宗 基 督教， 透 過 入 讀教會 學 校 ， 取 得 知 識，成 為 他 們 脫 離 種 性 制 度 的 唯 一 機 會 ， 有 的 加 入毛 派 游 擊 隊 。 這 引 起 激 進 印 度教徒 的 不 滿， 游 擊隊 有 武 器 ，於 是 印 度教徒 惟 有 將 不 滿 發 洩 在 基 督徒 身 上 。英 國 《 泰 晤 士 報 》

請為北印度教會基督徒的安全與和平代禱--總會普世發稿
[本會] 2008/9/25 下午 07:08:14 (特急件)公告
8月23日，印度歐利沙省(Orissa)的坎達瑪(Kandhamal)地區，一位印度教的領袖沙拉瓦第(Laxamanada Saraswati)被「毛派」（Maoist）份子所殺。儘管「毛派」份子在報上公開承認是他們所為，但一些印度教的偏激份子卻指責基督徒收買「毛派」的暴力份子殺害他們的領袖。有的甚至用報紙的社論做這種不實的指控，從而開始屠殺基督徒，火燒教會以及屬於教會的機構。有四百間以上的教會，數以千計的房屋被毀，有超過五萬人無家可歸。幾乎所有屬於「北印度教會」（Church of North India ）的教會與機構、信徒都受影響。警察面對這些暴民與暴行，竟然相應不理，袖手旁觀。
在2007年的12月聖誕節前，在同一個地區也發生偏激的印度教徒攻擊基督教會的事件。他們燒燬教會及一些信徒的房子，致使許多基督徒無家可歸，而且要忍受飢餓、寒冷，藏身於森林裡。
這次的暴行，許多基督徒受害，婦女被凌遲。有一位修女被暴民輪暴後還被殺害。一位神父被迫裸體遊街示眾。有一所天主教會辦的孤兒院，主持的神父與一位女工作人員被活活燒死，同時22個院童不知下落。另外一所救世軍辦的，專門照顧貧困男孩的收容所也被燒毀，四十位住在所內的男孩失蹤。凡此種種，讓我們知道在印度歐利沙省，與我們同信的主內兄弟姐妹所受的苦。
消息傳來，引! 起亞洲教協（CCA）的關心，同時也發文給全亞洲的會員教會，要求代禱與關心。印度全國教協(NCCI)總幹事Bishop D. K. Sahu與幾位印度教會領袖去見歐利沙省省長，要求他保障該省基督徒的安全。省長於9月17日向教會領袖們保證：「本省所有的基督徒，特別是居住於坎達瑪地區的，都會得到安全的保障。我們也會盡我們所能盡快恢復本省的和平與秩序。」。亞洲教協總幹事Dr. Prawate Khid-arn亦與NCCI總幹事商量，在適當的時機，將派代表團訪問印度教會，以表達進一步的關懷。
普世教會組織，如普世教協(WCC)、世界歸正教會聯盟（WARC）以及亞洲教協(CCA)等一致呼籲全世界的基督徒共同關心、代禱。我們也在這裡呼籲台灣眾教會的兄姊，特別為北印度教會的兄弟姐妹獻上主前代禱!
（台灣基督長老教會總會普世關係委員會發稿，取材自北印度教會總幹事Rev. Dr. Enos Das Phadhan以及CCA的電子郵件）

The New School Prayer

从公元前3000年左右开始，古埃及的人们就在使用文字（象形文字）表示神，人，动植物，自然界的形态（山，河等），来表示装饰品，武器，农具，日用品等的形状了。该象形文字不仅仅给现在的字母表，还给阿拉伯文字，印度语族的文字带来了影响。埃及人在用被称作纸草（papyrus）的植物所制成的纤维上书写文字。Paper（纸）这个词便是源于papyrus.
公元前2000—前800年间，海上贸易十分繁荣的腓尼基人，以埃及象形文字为基础，创造了腓尼基语的字母表。公元前1000年左右，古希腊人又以腓尼基语的字母表创造了从左至右书写的24个字母的字母表。Alphabet的词源即为希腊语的alpha(a)beta.
罗马字字母表的确立得力于公元前800—500年间十分活跃的伊特拉斯坎人。字母表的读法便是由他们的读法而来。
古罗马人用于拉丁语书写的字母表，是现在A—Z的26个字母中除去J，U，W后的23个字母。G是罗马人为了与C的音[k]区别，表记[g]音而发明的字母。进入10世纪后，U从V中独立出来，11世纪，为表现[w]音而采用了W,15世纪，J从I中分离出来。
关于英文字母起源世界上存在着许多讲法，但比较常见的讲法（根据Funk《Word origins》一书）是起源于希伯来语。应该讲这个讲法是有一定依据的。因为《圣经》是西方文明的根源，而《圣经》所记录的正是犹太人（希伯来语）的历史。而现在英语的二个重要语源希腊及拉丁语的祖先也是“希伯来语”。希伯来语本身就是象形文字。因此，现代英语中大量词汇隐现出象形文字的特征。如A表 “牛头”，暗示“尖，锋利”，如此引伸出“ace”尖，“aciform”类形，“acid”酸等各种表示“尖”的词汇。但随着历史的不断发展，文明的不断提升，文字也融入大量文化的内涵。因此，许多现代英语词汇已无法单纯从象形文字上推得，如“apogee”这地点，这个词，就由二部分组成 “apo”表示“远离”+“gee”表示“土地”，其中apo来自于“阿波罗太阳神apollo”，表示“远征，远离”。（有关词汇起源请大学听讲座），以下将26字母起源简析，及举例：
如同汉字起源于象形，英语字母表中的每个字母一开始都是描摹某种动物或物体形状的图画，而这些图画最后演变为符号。但这些符号和原先被描摹之实物的形状几无相似之处。谁也不能肯定这些象形字母原先究竟代表什么。我们的解释只能是学者们基于史料作出的有根据的猜测。一般认为希腊字母乃西方所有字母，包括拉丁字母的始祖。其实希腊人的字母又是从腓尼基人那儿借过来的。
A a
约在3000年前，在腓尼基字母表中字母A读如aleph,写起来形似字母V，中间再加一横，代表牛头或牛角。以后希腊人将它倒过来写。对于古代腓尼基人来说，牛意味着财富，吃，穿，耕作都少不了它。这也许就是A被列为第一个字母的缘故吧。
B b
和A 一样，字母B也可以追溯到古代腓尼基。在腓尼基字母表中B叫beth,代表房屋，在希伯来语中Ｂ也叫beth，也含房屋之意。字母B原来形似原始社会的两室房屋，小写字母b是后来从大写字母B衍变出来的。在今约旦河西岸有一犹太教，基督教圣地叫Bethlehem。该词中至今还包含着beth这一成分。B在字母表中之所以排在第二位也许是因为对人类的生存来说住的重要性仅次于衣食
C c
字母C在腓尼基人的文字中叫gimel，代表骆驼。它在字母表中的排列顺序和希腊字母I(gamma)相同，实际上其字形是从后者演变而来的。C在罗马数字中表示100。
D d
D在古时是描摹拱门或门的形状而成的象形符号，在古代腓尼基语和希伯来语中叫做daleth，是“门”的意思，相当于希腊字母Δ（delta）。
E e
E是英语里用得最多的字母。在腓尼基语和希伯来语中E是代表窗的象形符号，叫做he，相当于希腊字母E(epsilon)。
F f
F（英语字母表中的第六个字母）源自腓尼基语的第六个象形字母，该字母形似今日之英语字母Y，代表木栓或木钉（peg），在腓尼基语和希伯来语的名称为waw。中世纪重罪犯(felon)的左颊常被打上F的印记，以示惩戒。
G g
在古代腓尼基语及希伯来语的字母表里，G是描摹骆驼的头和颈之轮廓的象形字母，其名称为gimel。以后希腊人借用了该符号，作Γ（gamma）。其实字母 G与字母C系源于同一腓尼基字母。原拉丁字母表里本无字母G，含g音和含k音的词都以字母C为表示。公元3世纪以后，古罗马人根据C创造了G，自此C表示 k音，G则表示g音。
H h
像其它字母一样，H也可通过拉丁语和希腊语的字母表，一直追溯到腓尼基语字母表。在腓尼基语中和H相应的字母有两条横杠，它代表篱笆或栅栏，字母名称叫heth或cheth。
I i
第九个字母I源自腓尼基语中叫做yod / yodh的象形字母，该字母被认为代表人的手指。最初小写字母I并不带点。I上面的点是11世纪以后抄写员为区分字母I连写（如filii）与字母u才开始加上去的。此外，在19世纪以前i和j的书写或印刷形式是可互换的，词典也不将它们作为两个不同的字母来对等。如在Samuel Johnson(1709-1784)所编的《英语词典》中，iambic排在jamb和jangle这两个词的中间。英语的I相当于希腊语的I (iota)。
J j
字母J是莎士比亚时代后（post-Shakespearean times），约在1630年产生的，和V并称英语字母表中两个最轻的字母。英国国王詹姆斯一世于1611年颁行的《圣经》钦定英译本中就没有J或j这一字母。正如G是基于C构成的，J是由I衍生而来，即在I上加一尾巴构成。然而，直至19世纪I，J的书写形式或印刷形式一直可以互换，并未完全分家。
K k
字母K之根源也可追溯到古代腓尼基语。在腓尼基语字母表里，K乃象形符号，代表人的手。希伯来语把它叫做kaph，即“手（掌）”之意。希腊人借用后作K （kappa）。古罗马时期，犯诽谤罪者的前额被打上K之印记，K代表kalumnia，即相当于英语calumny(诽谤)。
L l
在腓尼基和希伯来字母表中，L叫lamed / lamedh，是表示刺棒（oxgoad）或鞭子的象形符号。希腊语中的相应字母是A(lambda)。
M m
如同别的字母，M也可一直追溯到古腓尼基语。腓尼基人勇于探险，以海上贸易著称，航行曾远至西班牙海岸。M在腓尼基字母表里是表示海浪形状的象开符号。希伯来语把它叫做mem，即为“水”之意。希腊语的相应字母为M（mu）。在中世纪凡犯人罪（manslaugter）者左姆指上往往被烙以M之印记。M在罗马数字中表示1000（拉丁语作mille）。
N n
字母N在埃及象形字里呈波浪形，在腓尼基语中叫做nun，意为“鱼”而希腊语的相应字母则为N（nu）。
O o
许多语言都有形似O的字母，而且都代表人的眼睛。在一些古老的字母表里有的O当中还加了个点，表示瞳孔。在腓尼基语中O叫cayin，意为“眼睛”，在古英语里O叫oedel，意为“家”。
P p
P，英语字母表的第16个字母，古代腓尼基人和希伯来人称之为pe，意为“嘴”。希腊语的相应字母为II(pi)。16世纪有一位名叫Placentius的多明我会修道士(Dominican friar)写了一首题为Pugna Porcorum，由253个六音步诗行组成的诗，诗中每个词的首字母均为p。这恐怕是亘古及今绝无仅有的。
Q q
Q，英语字母表的第17个字母，系由腓尼基语和希伯来语的第19个象形字母演变而来。Q的形状有点像垂着尾巴的猴子。无怪乎腓尼基语把该字母叫做qoph，意思就是“猴子”。在英语中Q后面几乎总跟着U，它绝少出现在词尾，除非是外来语。
R r
R，英语字母表的第18个字母，系由腓尼基语和希伯来语的第20个象形字母演变而来。腓尼基人称之为resh，意为“头”。从古罗马时代起，R一直被称作 dog’s letter或snarling letter，因为R的发意颇似狗的嗥叫声r-r-r-r或gr-r-r-r。英国剧作家，诗人 Ben Johnson（1572—1637）1636年在其所著《外国人用英文文法》(English Grammar Made for the Benefit of All Strangers) 一书中这样写道：“R is the dog’s letter, and hurreth in the sound; the tongue striking the inner palate, with a trembling about the teeth.”在莎翁的《罗密欧与朱丽叶》一剧中，朱丽叶的保姆和罗密欧谈及他的姓时说，Romeo和rosemary（迷迭香），一种常与婚礼相联系的花，两者都以字母R开头，并称R为dog-name。
S s
在腓尼基语和希伯来语中，S叫shin / sin，意为“牙齿”，字母形状颇像今天的W，而现在的字形则是在它进入拉丁语之后逐渐演变成的。希腊语的相应字母为ε（sigma）。
T t
今日的字母T系由腓尼基语的象形寂母变化而来。早先的字形恰 似如今的字母X，叫做taw，意为“记号”（mark）。基于此符号形成的希腊语相应字母为T(tau)。
U u
字母U系由字母V派生而来。在19世纪以前的数百年间，这两个字母就如I和J，一直可以换用，在英语辞书上一直不加以区分。例如在16和17世纪出版的图书 upon常拼作vpon，而have常拼作haue。甚至到了1847年，伦敦Henry Washbourne公司出版的《英语词典》(A Dictionary of the English Language)仍在沿用这一做法。
V v
V乃英语字母表中两个最年轻的字母之一（加一个为J），它于莎士比亚时代以后，约1630年出现。但V同时又是U，W，Y等三个字母的祖先，甚至连F也可以说是从V派生出来的。V 源于约公元前1000年腓尼基字母表中的第6个象形字母，该字母酷似今日之英语字母Y，叫做waw，意为“木栓”或“木钉”。公元前900年以后，希腊人借用了该字母，并由此衍生出两个字母，一个后来演变为英语字母F，另一个则演变为V和Y。在19世纪以前V和U这两个字母原来是不分的，可以互换的。V在罗马数字里表示5。
W w
和U，Y一样，W亦由V派生而来，其实W系双V连写而成，本应读作double V。W之所以读作double U是因为在19世纪以前的几个世纪U和V一直不分，可以互换。V既是V又是U的符号，即使发U也常成V，如upon往往拼作vpon。法语的字母就读如 double V。
X x
英语字母表的第24个字母，相当于希腊字母表的第22个字母X(chi)。其实前者系借自后者，而后者则源自腓尼基语中一个代表“鱼”，读如samekh的象形字母。 X在罗马数字中代表10，在代数学和数学中 X通常被用以表示未知数。当代数学从阿拉伯传入欧洲时，阿拉伯语中表示“未知数”的 shei一词被译为 xei，于是首字母X就成了未知数的常用代号。关于字母X的由来，还有这样一种说法：X原为表示接吻之象形符号，若写如 x，看起来确有点象两张嘴在亲吻。这种解释可能出自民俗语源。
Y y
Y可以说是从V派生而来，但若究起根源Y可以追述到希腊语中被称为毕达哥拉斯字母(the letter of Pythagoras)Υ(upsilon)。在代数中Y常被用以表示第二个未知数。
Z z
在英国英语中读如Zed，在美国英语中则读如zee，但在古英语中则读作izzard。Z源自希腊语的第6个字母Z（zeta），而希腊语的Z又是借自腓尼基语。Z的基本意思表示宇宙之主——宙斯。

THE RESOLUTIONS

of

Jonathan Edwards

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily sat for a moment and read
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream!
"Ready for Christmas! What do you mean?
When only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street."
"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge!
Perhaps you better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and filled with pride?"
"Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared!
So little he asked, he could have been spared."
Ready for Christmas!
You've worked, it is true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do."
"Ready for Christmas, your circle's too small.
Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all."
I awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
"Oh, Father, forgive me, I see what you mean;
To be ready means more than a house swept clean."
Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness and sin,
Ready for Christmas means ready for Him!"
Author Unknown