p. 95 | HOME COURTESIES.-

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 15, 1877

HOME COURTESIES.—

Please listen, good people of the home circle. The placing of the arm-chair in a warm place for mamma, running for a foot-stool for auntie, hunting up papa's spectacles, and a score of little loving 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 mother’s spool of cotton rolls from her lap, and 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, children can be taught to speak kindly to each other, to acknowledge favors, to be gentle and unselfish, to be thoughtful and considerate of the comforts of the family. The boys, with inward pride of their father's courteous demeanor, will be chivalrous and helpful to their young sisters; the girls, imitating the mother, will be gentle and patient, even when big brothers are noisy and heedless. In the home where courtesy prevails, it seems to meet him on the very threshold. You feel the kindly welcome on entering. No rude eyes scan your dress. No angry voices are heard upstairs. No sullen children are sent from the room. A delightful atmosphere pervades the house, unmistakable yet indescribable.—Harper's Bazar.