August 17

Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews ... and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? — Esth 4:13-14

The destiny of nations lies far more in the hands of women—the mothers—than in the hands of those who possess power. We must cultivate women, who are educators of the human race, else a new generation cannot accomplish its task.
— Froebel.

In an old continental town they will show you a prison in a tower, and on all the stones of that prison within reach one word is carved—it is, “Resist!” Years ago a godly woman was for forty years immured in that dungeon, and she spent her time in cutting with a piece of iron on every stone that one word, for the strengthening of her own heart and for the benefit of all who might come after her, “Resist!” “Resist!” “Resist!”
— J.G. Mantle.

Prayer

Lord God, give me wisdom to help relieve the ignorant and suffering. May I strive in every way to free thy people, that they may be uplifted in the progress of life. Amen.