American Home Manners

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 7, 1882

American Home Manners.

AMERICAN men respect women in the highest sense, and treat them with all the chivalry possible, as far as immunity from insult is concerned. The national character of the American man in this respect is above reproach. But are they at home amiable and polite? Do they treat their wives and daughters or their mothers with constant and daily and proper politeness? Are American women models in this respect? Do they remember to be grateful and polite in little matters of salutations and of compliment? Are they careful to consume their own smoke, and to bring only an amiable face to the dinner table?

We are afraid not. The national home manners need improving. The amenities of home can alone make up for the national disadvantage. It is at the home dinner-table, by the hearth-stone, the evening fireside, in the nursery, the bedroom and the sick-room, that manners must be taught. We cannot count upon outside influences for our children. Home first and home always, must be to them what the external world is to the ignorant foreigner. There every institution teaches him, by the iron bands of power and custom, to be respectful. If he dares be otherwise he is an outlaw and a criminal.—Sel.