degraded by what is coldly, grudgingly, superciliously, or
chidingly bestowed; while the thoughtful tenderness which never forgets
the sensibilities of those whom it relieves, inspires comfort, hope, and
courage, arouses whatever capacity there may be of self-help, and is often
the means of replacing the unfortunate in the position from which they
have fallen.

*Beneficence has a much broader scope than the mere relief of the poor and
suffering.* In the daily intercourse of life there are unnumbered
opportunities for kindness, many of them slight, yet in their aggregate,
of a magnitude that eludes all computation. There is hardly a transaction,
an interview, a casual wayside meeting, in which it is not in the power of
each person concerned to contribute in an appreciable degree to the
happiness or the discomfort of those whom he thus meets, or with whom he
is brought into a relation however transient. In all our movements among
our fellow-men, it is possible for us to "go about doing good." What we
can thus do we are bound to do. We perceive and feel that this is fitting
for us as social and as mutually dependent beings. We are conscious of the
benefit accruing to us from little, nameless attentions and courtesies,
often of mere look, or manner, or voice; and from these experiences we
infer that the possibility, and therefore the duty of beneficence is
coextensive with our whole social life.

The *measure of beneficence*, prescribed for us on the most sacred
authority, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do
ye even so to them," needs only to be stated to be received as authentic.
It supplies a measure for our expectations also, as well as for our
duties. We have a right to expect from others as much courtesy, kindness,
service as, were they in our place and we in theirs, we should feel bound
to render to them,--a rule which would often largely curtail our
expectations, and in the same proportion tone down our disappointments and
imagined grievances.

There is another scriptural precept, "*Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself,*" which might at first sight seem impracticable, yet which, as we
shall see on closer examination, represents not only a possible
attainment, but one toward which all who heartily desire and love to do
good are tending. There are various conditions under which, confessedly,
human beings love others as well as themselves, or better. What else can
we say of the mother's l