HOW TO BE CHARMING

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 24, 1881

HOW TO BE CHARMING.

EVERY young girl cannot be beautiful, for to every one God has not given a comely face nor a graceful figure. But every one can be attractive. Indeed, health and cleanliness go far in giving those bright eyes, blooming cheeks and clear skins which conduce to good looks, though some have plain and irregular features, and can easily see, by the testimony of the truth-telling mirror, that they are not remarkable for external graces. Let them comfort themselves by the thought that they may make very beautiful old ladies, if they cultivate sweetness of disposition and contentedness of mind, and trust in God's goodness and love.

How can the homely be charming? Well, true self-forgetfulness and kind thoughtfulness for the happiness of others is always winning. The vain, selfish beauty cannot compete with the homely maiden who is popular because she is so very lovable. Her father confides in her. Her mother leans on her. Her friends go to her for help and advice. The little girls bring her their broken toys, and the boys come for aid when the lessons are hard. By and by a marvelous thing happens. She is spoken of everywhere as "the interesting Miss Parker," or "the agreeable Miss Dornell," or the "captivating Miss St. Mark." She has grown interesting, agreeable and captivating, and each quality is far more valuable to a woman than the possession of mere beauty, without other winning personal characteristics.

The power to converse well is a very great charm. You think anybody can talk? How mistaken you are! Anybody can chatter. Anybody can exchange idle gossip. Anybody can recapitulate the troubles of the kitchen, the cost of the last new dress, and the probable doings of the neighbors. But to talk wisely, wittily, instructively, freshly, and delightfully, is an immense accomplishment. It implies exertion, observation, study of books and of people, and receptivity of impressions. No young girl can hope to shine in conversation as her mother does, but every girl can begin to acquire that graceful art which will draw intelligent men and women to her side, and enable her to retain them, because they are pleasantly entertained.—Christian at Work.