Home Politeness

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 7, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 26.

SHOULD an acquaintance tread on your dress, your best, your very best, and by accident tear it, how profuse you are with your “never mind — don’t think of it — I don’t care at all.” If a husband does it, he gets a frown; if a child, he is chastised.

Ah! these are little things, say you! They tell mightily on the heart, let us assure you, little as they are.

A gentleman stops at a friend’s house, and finds it in confusion. He doesn’t see anything to apologize for—“never think of such matters — everything is all right” — cold supper — cold room — crying children — “perfectly comfortable.”

Goes home; his wife has been taking care of sick ones, and worked her life almost out. “Don’t see why things can’t be kept in better order — there never were such cross children before.”

Why not be polite at home? Why not use freely the coin of courtesy? How sweet they sound, those little words: “I thank you,” or “you are very kind.” Doubly, yes, thrice sweet from the lips we love, when heart-smiles make the eye sparkle with the clear light of affection.

Be polite to your children. Do you expect them to be mindful of your welfare? to grow glad at your approach? to bound away to do your pleasure before your request is half spoken? Then with all your dignity and authority, have politeness. Give it a niche in your household temple. Only then will you have the true secret of sending out into the world really finished gentlemen and ladies. Again we say unto all — be polite.— Selected.