Value of Good Manners by Dudley Marvin Canright

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 28, 1875

Value of Good Manners.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Pleasing manners are a great fortune to any man. Says Matthews: "Almost every man can recall scores of cases within his knowledge where pleasing manners have made the fortune of lawyers, doctors, divines, merchants, and, in short, men in every walk of life. Raleigh flung down his laced coat into the mud for Elizabeth to walk on, and got for his reward a proud queen's favor. The politician who has this advantage easily distances all rival candidates, for every voter he speaks with becomes his friend. The very tones in which he asks for a pinch of snuff are often more potent than the logic of a Webster or a Clay. Polished manners have made scoundrels successful, while the best of men, by their harshness and coldness, have done themselves incalculable injury—the shell being so rough that the world could not believe there was a precious kernel within."

"Civility is to man what beauty is to a woman. It creates an instantaneous impression in his behalf, while the opposite quality excites as quick a prejudice against him. It is a real ornament—the most beautiful dress a man or woman can wear—and worth more as a means of winning favor than the finest clothes and jewels ever worn. The gruffest man loves to be appreciated; and it is oftener the sweet smile of a woman, which we think intended for us alone, than a pair of Juno-like eyes, or 'lips that seem on roses fed,' that bewitches our heart and lays us low at the feet of her whom we afterward marry."

Knowing the potency of good manners, every Christian who desires to win souls to the truth should make it a daily study how to be as pleasing as possible. Indeed the Lord enjoins this—"Be courteous." 1 Pet. 3:8. Seventh-day Adventists particularly need a large measure of this grace. Sharpness, coarseness, boisterousness, and like behavior never wins the confidence and love of others. Let us be as wise as common salesmen at least.

D. M. CANRIGHT.