A Deplorable Custom by Maggie G. Richardson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1909

A Deplorable Custom

By Maggie G. Richardson

MAGGIE G. RICHARDSON

We boast of living in a land of enlightenment and progress, and often speak in pitying terms of the heathen and their foolish customs, but at the same time follow some of the most absurd practises ourselves; and not only absurd, but those which destroy one’s self-respect and lower the regard for others.

Not long ago in a letter from one of our workers in China, the native marriage ceremony was described. After the ceremony the different members of the family gather about the young people, she in the women’s apartment and he in the men’s, and find great delight in teasing them, each about the other. This is kept up for days, until gradually all become accustomed to the new situation, and finally settle down to the ordinary ways of life.

In our enlightened country there is the still more ridiculous custom of teasing young unmarried men and women about each other; and in some families even boys and girls not yet in their teens are made the objects of sport in this way.

Not young people alone are found indulging in this foolish habit, but parents, who should mold the character of their children by directing their conversation into profitable channels. The mind of a child when given into the care of the parents, is a blank, but easily molded and impressible.

Fathers and mothers, can you afford to have written upon the pure, innocent pages of your child’s mind foolish and degrading thoughts by your careless conduct and idle words? Your own words and actions, if your influence is what it is your privilege to make it, will have a greater impression upon your children than those of any one else.

The apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. . . . Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking nor jesting.” To the Philippians he writes: “Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ;” and to the Colossians he says: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Peter says: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” and, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God?” Can we who are looking for that day afford to engage in light and trifling conversation in the presence of young people and children? Our Saviour says: “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

Takoma Park, D. C.