In a very pompous voice the letter was read aloud. It had taken the writer more than half-an-hour to frame, but it did not take many seconds to read. This is a copy of it: "DEAR SIRS, "My attention has lately been drawn to the sad state of matters among the men working at the railway-works at ----, especially on Sundays. I believe the use of a shed could be obtained if workers could be found to conduct a service there. I need hardly say that for such men it would need to be a bright one, and conducted on as fresh lines as possible. It is four miles from Hadley, not too far for a strong man to walk. If you would take up this work, I am sure it would be fulfilling the object for which you were called together, and would bring honour to God. It seems certainly very discreditable to the Christians of this town that no hand has yet been stretched out to help these men. Will you not retrieve our good name? If I can be of any assistance or give any suggestions, I shall only be too happy to do so. "Yours, in Christian service, "PHEBE WARING." "There are your marching orders, gentlemen, and a captain ready provided for you," said the honorary secretary sarcastically. "I do not think that letter calls for any such remark," said Stephen Collins. He was rather aghast at Mr. Bell's words, knowing nothing of the stone Bessie had thrown into the waters. Mr. Bell gave him a very fixed stare, causing Stephen Collins' face to grow very red. "I think it is a splendid piece of work she points out, and one that we should in no wise pass by." "I think we have quite enough work upon our hands already," remarked the chairman. "Excuse me, sir," said Stephen, "I thought our duty was first to ascertain how much needed to be done, and then to confer how best it is to be accomplished. We are not here to do so much and no more." "No one said we were," was the testy answer. "It's a fine state of matters," remarked one member who always acted as echo to the secretary, "if we are to be told our duty by a woman." "And by such a woman," remarked the secretary. "What do you mean, sir?" demanded Stephen. "Oh, I forgot she was a special friend of yours; I am very sorry if I offend"--this more blandly--"but I mean this: a woman whose husband was obliged to leave her, even forfeiting thereby a profitable business, and who is seen standing talking at the door of a low public-house, is not the kind of woman to do the Deborah act for us. That's what I mean," bringing his hand forcibly down upon the table. "Indeed, I know it for a fact that she was refused admittance as teacher to a certain Sunday School in the town, where she had offered her services." "That is a libel upon a good Christian woman," protested Stephen. "Gentlemen, I think we had better pass on to the next business," said the chairman.