Real sympathy is many-sided, as you all know. It may be of the fussy sort, which cannot be satisfied without incessant expression, either in word or deed. Kindly meant, it is apt to jar on its object. There may be more wisdom and no less sympathy shown by silence than by words. Thoughtful loving actions will not be lost on the weary, worried man of business, who has found it impossible to leave all his cares outside the threshold of home. I knew a man who used to say to his almost too sympathetic wife, “Let me be quiet a little, my dear, I want to think things out. I shall be all right by and by.” Then the wife knew that kind words or the touch of a loving hand was better withheld, and possessed her soul in patience until the thinking out was done, and her husband was his bright self again. The wife’s character should be great enough to grasp the greatest things that come within her province, yet comprehensive enough to stoop to the least. Do you wish to look upon a picture which represents a perfect wife? There is one drawn in words by an inspired writer. Turn to Proverbs xxxi., and read from the tenth verse to the end. Note, first, her value. “Her price is far above rubies.” Her faithfulness. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” Her devotion is of no fitful sort. “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” She is clever and far-seeing, and able to turn the means with which she has been entrusted to good account in her purchases of land and of goods. She is industrious. “She riseth also while it is yet night.” “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” She thinks and cares for those she rules for. “She giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all ... are clothed with scarlet.” In the midst of wealth and abundance she seeks out, and blesses by her bounty, those who are less favoured. Note the expression. “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” No niggardly giving here. She seeks rather than is sought by the poor. She is the cheerful giver whom God loveth. She does not despise rich and beautiful clothing, becoming to her position. “Her clothing is silk and purple,” which she may well wear with satisfaction, seeing that she has cared for the needs of others both near and afar off. But she has better garments than the silk and purple, for “strength and honour are her clothing” also. With all her strength, riches, commercial shrewdness and industry, she combines wisdom and kindness in deed and word. “In her tongue is the law of kindness.” Good mistress! Good wife! Good mother! “She looketh well to the ways of her household.” “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”