t beautiful simplicity and modest unostentation,
among them in her own home!

As for Grace; it may safely be said that she did not know that she had
done anything at all remarkable until the world told her so. It is
almost certain that she did it because she could not help it. We are
sure that it did not enter into her mind to suppose that she was
performing a deed of heroism for which all mankind would bless and laud
her memory. She simply could not know of her fellow creatures in
peril, without attempting to rescue them. Their sorrows and distresses
found a ready echo in her own heart, and she must almost have wished
for wings that she might fly at once to their succour.

And the maiden had her reward long before her deed of heroism had been
published in the papers, and brought upon her the thanks and praises of
the whole land. In the quiet recesses of her girl's loving heart there
was great joy that night. She did not care whether or not anybody
heard of her or her deeds. Nine persons had been saved from a watery
grave through her strong persistance and courage. Nine lives were
saved for usefulness and pleasure. Perhaps nine homes were preserved
from sorrow and darkness, because an intrepid girl had ventured out
upon the stormy sea. And as she thought of this, it was in no spirit
of boasting, but rather in that of thankful humility, which drew her
down to her knees, while she offered her devout prayer to God who had
thus prospered her work. And surely, to complete her joy, there must
have come to her before-hand the loving words of Him whose example
Grace Darling had but copied. Did not the Master of all faithful souls
come to "seek and to save that which was lost?" And would not He say
to her, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and of her, "She hath
done what she could?"

We cannot but praise her. Knowing what epithets of adulation were
lavished upon her, we yet cannot help feeling that she deserved all the
honest commendation which she received. It was a sublime deed of
heroism; a splendid example of womanly unselfishness and love. That a
timid girl should thus brave danger, by cleaving her way through the
seas which she had thus grave reason to fear, with none but her father
by her side, was indeed a matchless achievement. Grace Darling forgot
herself, or she could not have done it. And she showed, on that day,
how weakness can become strong, and timidity courageous; and it is
little wond