It is surprising what quick, off-hand stories the manners of people will tell of them when one meets them in cafés, hotels, stores, churches, or encounters them on the sidewalks.
Oftentimes their mere silent bearing reveals, in an instant, if their nature be kindly, if the rights of others are appreciated, if habits of politeness have been cultivated, or if they think, care, act, live for themselves only.
The following occurrence throws light on this statement. One day last week, an aged woman met, on a narrow sidewalk in one of the pretty beach towns of Southern California, three well-dressed young men. They were twenty years of age, perhaps. They were walking abreast. They occupied the entire width of the pavement. On either side was deep, wet ground. There had been during the night heavy downfall of rain.
At the point of passing not one of them stepped aside. It was impossible for four persons to remain upon the pavement. Result, The octogenarian went off into the soft earth. Another result, Esteem for those young men—in respect to their civility—dropped almost to vanishing point.
Suppose those young men had lifted their hats courteously, and one of them had stepped aside that she might pass with clean shoes.
Doubtless the reader has noted what instant pleasure it affords him to be passed courteously on the street by one younger than himself. Quickly a feeling of fine respect for that person springs up in the heart, there to abide perhaps for a lifetime. Some incident, some circumstance, will awaken, long afterward, sweet memory of the occurrence. In some far-away land, it may be, in some silent hour of the night, in some period of severe trial, it will step into mind to allay pain, to appease unrest, dispel darkness, impart cheer.
The writer recalls that, while teaching, some years ago, in an institution many miles north of San Francisco, certain citizens of the place, strangers to herself, whom she met upon the streets as she went to and came from duty, always greeted her politely, kindly, with countenance expressive of genuine good will.
Words fail to express the pleasant elevation of mind, the subtle cheer of heart, which those silent civilities imparted. Years have not erased the memory of them, nor lessened the gratitude they called forth. Such deeds may seem but small investment in these days of eager self-serving, but what long-continued fruit have they borne!
But it is of courtesy to the aged especially that the writer would speak to-day. Others, not less than herself, have observed the almost total lack of this beautiful grace in the last decade. Among young people especially is its absence painfully apparent.
It is a saddening indication. There must be some adequate reason therefor. At the beginning, it must be due, certainly, to a very serious omission in parental training, and perhaps to painful failure on the part of teachers in some positions.
Conspicuous in the comprehensive code of laws given to Israel at Mount Sinai, is this command: “Thou shalt RISE UP before the hoary head, and shalt HONOR the face of the old man.” Lev. 19:32.
How many, even of the Christian young men and women of the United States, to-day obey that most explicit command? How many even KNOW that these words shine out brilliantly in the word of God? That imperial assemblage of laws and regulations was given to Israel to lift them up to a plain of high, ideal living, socially, morally, spiritually. Israel, just out of Egypt, needed them extremely.
These divine utterances can to-day accomplish the same blessed results in the hearts and lives of God’s people. Indifference and heedlessness are not safer than in those far-gone years. We need them.15
The act of showing respect and courtesy to aged men and women lends a fine charm to the deportment of young people. It adorns more charmingly than do jewels upon the neck or hands. It forms a part of the fine gold of conduct.
The young person who manifests deference toward aged men and women, no matter how threadbare their clothing, no matter how bent the form, how wrinkled the face, how whitened the head, puts himself on the side of the Creator—the right side, the safe side.
It is well to remember that the bent form, wrinkled face, and snowy hair may all be the result of care, toil, anxiety, sorrow for others, testifying that the life has been unselfish, noble, and therefore deference and courtesy are but their just due. Solomon wrote: “The gray head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
The writer has had some little opportunity to witness the training of young people in both homes and schools. It is not pleasant to admit that but few instances can be recalled when this duty toward aged people has been brought forcibly and definitely to the attention of sons or daughters.
A little time given, a little thinking done, the charge repeated earnestly to-day and to-morrow, by the parents, and there would be smiles in the heart, if not on the face, of many an aged one, where now are wound and sting.
