p. 5 | Christian Courtesy Versus Worldly Politeness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 22, 1910

Christian Courtesy Versus Worldly Politeness

By James D. Montgomery

JAMES D. MONTGOMERY

ABRAHAM, the father of the faithful, the friend of God, was a man of courtesy. He was not simply a man-pleaser, a time-server, nor yet a man of worldly policy; he entertained angels unawares. Sitting at the door of his tent one day, he beheld two strangers approaching, and without hesitation ran to meet them, and, bowing before them, entreated them to stop and partake of his hospitality. They accepted, resting in the shade while their courteous host made simple preparations for their refreshment. In this act of hospitality we note the unselfishness of Abraham—and unselfishness is the foundation of genuine courtesy. The selfish man can not be courteous; at best he can only be polite.

In this incident the recipient of the courtesy and hospitality of Abraham was the Lord himself; but to Abraham he was merely a wayworn traveler in need of kindness, and his courteous spirit generously responded.

Lot, the preacher of righteousness, whose righteous soul was vexed by the wickedness of the people about him, was a man of courtesy. Two angels presented themselves before Lot as he sat at the gate of Sodom at eventide; “and Lot seeing them, rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself, with his face toward the ground. And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways;” and “he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him.” Gen. 19:2, 3. Evidently Lot also entertained angels unawares at the first, but it was afterward revealed that it was the Lord Jesus himself who suffered the courteous Lot to minister to him and to his companion.

On the other hand, we have several examples of the art of polite intercourse, and it invariably carries the stain of self-serving with it. Take the suave Haman, when he appeared before the king and queen. How polite he was, how he bowed and scraped before them, all the time with his mind upon some favor he expected in return! Think of him a little later on, as he passed through the gate, and saw the humble Mordecai refusing to bow before him, and see how quickly the polish slipped from his demeanor, and the scheming of the murderer took its place. This is the great difference between true courtesy and worldly politeness. Christian courtesy, like charity, “is not puffed up,” “seeketh not her own,” but is kind to friend and enemy alike. Worldly politeness is kind to only friends, or to some one from whom a favor is expected.

Sanballat and Geshem were very polite to Nehemiah, inviting him to a conference in a village of the plain of Ono; but, says he, “they thought to do me mischief.” The same thought of selfishness underlies all acts of politeness where the element of policy is the motive.

Ahab was very polite to Elijah when he inquired, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” but it was the element of fear that took hold upon him because of the prophet’s God, that inspired the wicked king’s polite policy.

When Ahaziah fell down through the lattice, and injured himself, he sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover of his hurt. Elijah was commissioned by the angel to go and meet the messengers, divert them from their mission, and bring before the king a reminder that the God of heaven ever rules in the kingdom of men. When Ahaziah saw who had sent the word to him, he sent fifty soldiers with their captain to invite the prophet down to the house of the king. This captain was not very polite when he came into the presence of Elijah, and he said, “Thou man of God, . . . come down.” Fire came down, and devoured the captain and his fifty where they stood. Another troop of fifty, with their captain, were sent with a message to induce the prophet to come down. “O man of God,” he said, “come down quickly.” Fire consumed him and his men also. The third captain with his fifty was very much awed at the fate of those who had undertaken the same mission before him, and, falling upon his knees before the prophet, he entreated him to spare his life and that of the men who were with him. His attitude bears the stigma of fear and self-preservation; but the angel told Elijah to go with him, for he would not attempt to harm him.

How different is the grace of courtesy, which is self-denying and retiring, yet greets you with the hearty shake of the hand and kindly beaming of the eye, and makes you know that this is one whom you can trust! The courteous person desires your welfare; he seeks not his own; he is interested in you, and you can not mistake his motives. On the other hand, in the merely polite man you meet the patronizing manner, the averted eye, and you feel that he is after your trade, or your vote, or your patronage, in some way advantageous to himself.

Let us cultivate courtesy of habit and manner; not the veneer of mere polish, but the deep-seated grace of courtesy. We can do it, for Christ will help us. Let us set our heart upon it, and thus greatly increase our usefulness.

Newark, Ohio.