August The Third

MOULD us, great God, into forms of beauty and usefulness by the wheel of Providence and by the touch of Thy hand. Fulfill Thine ideal, and conform us to the image of Thy Son. In Thy great house may we stand as vessels meet for Thy use. We are little better than common earthenware, but may we be cleansed, and purified, and filled with Thy heavenly treasure. Dip us deep into the River of Life, and give refreshment by us to many parched and weary hearts - Amen.

-- FREDERICK B. MEYER

The Yangtse River passing through the Wushan, or "Magic Mountain," Gorge in Szechwan Province, China. Photo taken March 1946 by Dmitri Kessel. Life magazine archives.