An olden days Riddle by Hannah More (1745-1833)

I'm a strange contraction; I'm new, and I'm old,

I'm often in tatteres, and oft decked with gold.

Though I could never read, yet lettered I'm found;

Though blind, I enlighten; though loose, I am bound,

I'm always in black, and I'm always in white;

I'm grave and I'm gay, I am heavy and light--

In form too, I differ--I'm thick and I'm thin,

I've no flesh and bones, yet I'm covered with skin;

I've more points than the compass, more stops than the flute;

I sing without voice, without speaking confute.

I'm English, I'm German, I'm French, and I'm Dutch;

Some love me too fondly, some slight me too much;

I often die soon, though I sometimes live ages,

And no monarch alive has so many pages.

PRESIDENTIAL (?) QUOTE - LYNDON JOHNSON:

 Preamble to the Constitution of the State of Indiana:

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

May 25.

"And forgive us our debts (our trespasses), as we forgive our

debtors (those who trespass against us)." Matt. 6:12.

The so-called "Holiness" people think they have no need of

this petition, for they say they have no sin. (1 John 1, 8 — 10.)

A true Christian prays every day: "Forgive us our trespasses/'

and, moreover, considers this petition the most precious and the

sweetest of all ; for he knows that in spite of all his earnest striving

after holiness he daily sins much and therefore daily needs to be

forgiven. So he comes joyfully every day, and as often as he

feels his need, to the "Fountain filled with blood drawn from

ImmanueFs veins, where sinners, plunged beneath that flood, lose

all their guilty stains." And what joy, and love, and gratitude

then fills the Christian's heart when the heavenly Father again

assures him through His Holy Spirit, saying: "Son, be of good

cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." For the blood of Jesus Christ,

God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin. — But this petition is also

the most dangerous petition to pray. For in it we promise our

heavenly Father solemnly that out of gratitude for the forgiveness

He has granted us we will heartily forgive, and readily do good to,

those who sin against us. 0 how many stubborn, resentful, and

revengeful hearts pray against themselves and invoke God's dread-

ful wrath upon themselves when praying this petition, because

they still hold a grudge against the brother who has offended them

or even live in open enmity with him ! It is in vain for them

to say: "I will forgive, but never forget!" God throws all our

sins behind His back and no longer remembers them. So must

we forgive, with sincere and loving heart, if we would be forgiven

by God. Let us never forget the earnest warning of our Savior

recorded Mark 11, 25. 26 : "When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye

have aught against any, that your Father also which is in heaven

may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither

will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Dear heavenly Father, how could we live one moment without the

blessed assurance that Thou hast pardoned all our sins for our dear

Savior's sake and that we are now Thy beloved children? Thy Son prayed

also for us on the cross: Father, forgive them; for they know not what

they do. O we pray Thee, help us through Thy Holy Spirit firmly and

joyfully to believe in our pardon with Thee through Thy dear Son and

for His sake gladly to forgive our sinning and erring brethren all their

debts, even as Thou hast forgiven us. Amen.