COURTESY AT HOME | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 2, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 9.

COURTESY AT HOME.

No pleasanter sight is there than a family of young folks who are quick to perform little acts of attention toward their elders. The placing of the big arm chair in a warm place for mamma, running for a footstool for aunty, hunting up papa’s spectacles, and scores of little deeds, show unsuppressed and loving hearts. But if mamma never returns a smiling “thank you, dear;” if papa’s “just what I was wanting, Susie,” does not indicate that the little attention is appreciated, the children soon drop the habit. Little people are imitative creatures, and quickly catch the spirit surrounding them. So, if when the mother’s spool of cotton rolls from her lap, the father stoops to pick it up, bright eyes will see the act, and quick minds make a note of it. By example, a thousand times more quickly than by precept, can children be taught to speak kindly to each other, to acknowledge favors, to be gentle and unselfish, to be thoughtful and considerate of the comfort of the family. The boys, with inward pride of their father’s courteous demeanor, will be chivalrous and helpful to their own young sisters; the girls, imitating their mother, will be gentle and patient, even when big brothers are noisy and heedless. In the home where true courtesy prevails, it seems to meet you on the very threshold. You feel the kindly welcome on entering. No angry voices are heard up stairs. No sullen children are sent from the room. No peremptory orders are given to cover the delinquencies of housekeeping or servants. A delightful atmosphere pervades the house—unmistakably yet undescribably.