and out-of-door
exercise. The times are past when there could be any other feeling
than scorn for women who, not being really afflicted with disease, are
useless. Let it be understood, as indeed it is beginning to be, that
strong women are needed for the work of these days, and let all who
would not be mere logs floating down the stream, listen to the
injunction, and gird her loins with strength, and strengthen her arms.

"She stretcheth out her hands to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her
hands to the needy." Every one who knew Grace Darling knew that she
had a most pitiful and compassionate heart. But that was not enough,
though many women, it would seem, are satisfied with it. Some there
are who weep tears over the imaginary sorrows of a heroine in the last
sensational novel, who would not move away from their own firesides to
respond to the cry of real misery. No good comes of such pity, and
such compassion is a dishonour to the name. It is not enough to feel
for sorrow with the heart, the hands must be stretched out in prompt
readiness to help. It was so in the case of the daughter of the
lighthouse-keeper, and it was in consequence of this that her short
life was blessed. Nor is it enough to relieve the distress which comes
to the door, and presents itself to the eye. It is said of Solomon's
ideal woman, that she "stretcheth out" and "reacheth forth" her hands.
Grace Darling did this. She went out to those who needed her succour,
though it is possible that many of her sisters would have contented
themselves with simply going down to the beach to welcome the poor
wretches, if they should be fortunate enough to reach the shore. Grace
felt otherwise; and those who would do good in the world must be
willing to seek, as well as to save, those who are lost.

There is room in the world for the exercise of all Christian charity.
The poor are here, and unless a woman deliberately shuts her eyes to
their needs, and selfishly thinks only of her own people, and their
sorrows, she cannot help being touched. And the luxury of doing good
need not be confined to those of them whose purses are filled with
gold. Poor women help the poor, even more than the rich do. Nothing
is required, excepting the will, which will certainly find the way.
Money is useful where poverty reigns; but so are the kindly attentions,
the filled plate sent from a table, the half-worn-out garment left at
the door, and even the sympathetic