SWEET COURTESIES OF LIFE by Author of Apples of Gold

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 9, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 10.

SWEET COURTESIES OF LIFE.

By Author of Apples of Gold

EVERY Christian grace should be cultivated from early childhood. The little words "please" and "thank you," when favors are solicited and conferred, fall pleasantly upon the ear.

One little act of kindness done— One little soft word spoken— Hath power to make a thrill of joy E'en in a heart that's broken.

In teaching little folks the sweet courtesies of life we must repeat over and over the same lesson, day after day, for the first few years. Some little girls can wait on a visitor in their mother's absence with as much propriety as young ladies, can answer questions put to them clearly and directly, and always politely, and it is a pleasure to be a guest where children thus behave.

Little Alfred's mother had taken pains to instruct her baby boy in some of the simple forms of politeness and hospitality, and, though not three years old, he used to put his lesson in practice. One day a dear friend of his mother's called, and he ran at once to bring a chair for her, inviting her to sit by the fire. Then he brought a footstool for her feet, and asked her to let him take her bonnet. "I wish you would stay to dinner," he lisped, "and stay all day, and forever." Then he looked up into her face with a bright smile, and said, "I try to be polite."

"Thank you, Charlie," said Mrs. Brown, as her little son handed her a paper he was requested to bring. "Thank you, Bridget," said the little fellow a few hours later, as he received a glass of water from his nurse.

"Well, Mrs. Brown, you have the best-mannered children I ever saw," said a neighbor; "I should be thankful if mine were as polite to me as yours are to the servants. You never spend half as much time on your children's clothes as I do, and yet everyone notices them, they are so well behaved."

"We always try to treat our children politely," was the quiet reply.

This was the whole secret. When I hear parents grumbling about the ill manners of their children, I always wish to ask, "Have you always treated them with politeness?"

What sight is more lovely than this pleasant, modest, Christian courtesy in little folks at home and abroad? It is like "apples of gold in pictures of silver."

Hearts, like doors, can ope with ease To very, very little keys; And don't forget that they are these, "I thank you, sir," and "if you please."

When the Duke of Wellington was sick, the last thing he took was a little tea. On his servant's handing it to him in a saucer, and asking if he would have it, the duke replied, "Yes, if you please." These were his last words. How much kindness and courtesy is expressed by them! He who had commanded the greatest armies of Europe, and was long accustomed to a tone of authority, did not despise or overlook the smallest courtesies of life.

Ah, how many boys do! What a rude tone they often use to their little brothers and sisters, and sometimes to their mothers!

A look will sometimes send a pang Of anguish to the heart; A tone will often cause a tear In sorrow's eye to start.

Children, don't forget three little words, "If you please."

Then let us watch those little things, And so respect each other That not a word, or look, or tone May wound a friend or brother.