Influence and Responsibility of Mothers
By Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle
By MRS. L. D. A. STUTTLE. TRAINING TO KINDNESS AND COURTESY.
PLEASE, would you like a drink of water?" I was in bed, with a most distressing attack of the grip. I was quite helpless, and, worse than all, entirely alone. I opened my eyes in astonishment. What kind fairy had invaded my solitude? There by the bed stood a tiny boy. The dear little fellow had heard of my sickness, and, in his childish simplicity and real kindness of heart, he had come to offer his sympathy and do what he could! Dear little heart! somehow the sun seemed to shine a little brighter, and the dark clouds of gloom to roll suddenly away! After all, the world was not as selfish and unfeeling as I had thought. Somebody cared; and as I drank the cooling draught from the little hand, I was comforted and cheered. Somebody has said that the world would be a much nicer place if goodness was catching; but it is, it is; "No man liveth to himself," is as true to-day as it ever was. The goodness of a good man or woman or child is actually contagious. Kindness and courtesy and gentleness are contagious. Be kind and civil yourself if you want your boys and girls to be so; they will of a surety catch your spirit. "Well," says some anxious mother, "I suppose I ought to get a book on etiquette, and study it; then I could teach Mary the correct thing to do upon any and all occasions. I only wonder which is the best book on the subject." Well now, for the information of this mother and scores of others who are asking the same question, allow me to suggest a book which I am very certain will contain just the information you need on this subject. In fact, it is the best book on etiquette I ever saw. To be sure, I never read any instruction in it as to which side of the walk a gentleman ought to take, or whether it is good form to eat with the knife or the fork. But this thing it does say: "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus." "What! I believe you are talking about the Bible. Why! the very idea of calling the Bible a book on etiquette!" Wait, I am not done telling you about it yet. How many of us make the attempt to greet half the saints we meet on the streets on week days, or in the house of God on the Sabbath? I tell you there is a great and lamentable lack among professed Christians, in this thing; and as long as this continues so noticeably, the children will imbibe the same spirit. They ought to be taught the Christian courtesy of the Bible, and that by their parents. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind." Do you ask me to define Christian courtesy? It is no more nor less than the outward expression of genuine kindness of heart. John would not have spoken discourteously to his sister, and Mary would not have replied in the same spirit, had the true love which suffereth long and is kind been cherished in the hearts of each. We ought not to forget so often the admonition of the scripture, to be "pitiful; be courteous." Some one has said that Paul was undoubtedly a very polite man, and gave, as a reason for this belief, the masterly address, so tactful and courteous, which he made before the haughty Roman king. Of what avail would mere logic or deep and forceful reasoning have been, had not the truest and broadest Christian courtesy marked his every word. While the king trembled at his powerful reasoning, his heart was melted by the orator's gentle and kindly manner. Have you ever had occasion to spend the day with an acquaintance who gave you such scant welcome that you were quite miserable? It did not matter that the furniture was elegant, and the carpets luxurious, or that a servant stood ready to receive your slightest request; or that the hostess was studiously polite; for surely not a single breach in etiquette could be imputed to her, or to the dignified host. But what was the trouble?—O, just this: the welcome given you was artificial—there was no heart in it; in plainer words, it was not an honest welcome. My Bible lies open on my desk as I write, and these words catch my eye: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." "What! is it a Christian duty to entertain guests heartily?"—Yes, heartily, or not at all. Let me whisper a word in your ear, sister: Let us, you and I, enter into a solemn compact never to greet anybody, whether friend or casual acquaintance, in a listless, half-hearted manner. Let us stop these "Uriah Heep" handshakes. And yet we remember that this Uriah Heep was apparently the most "umble" of men; but his humility was only veneer. It was put on. Now let us not flatter ourselves that this artificial courtesy will not be detected; even a little child can tell the difference between the real article and the counterfeit. O let us resolve never to give even a simple "good morning" unless we "do it heartily as unto the Lord;" because this is true Christian courtesy, and in this, as in other things, the children will be very apt to follow the example set for them by father and mother.