"PARENTS, BE PITIFUL, BE COURTEOUS."
By L.
Be pitiful and courteous because it is right and God requires it of you. Be kind and courteous to all, but especially to each other, for the happy effect it will have upon your children. It would seem in a household where parents were united in serving the Lord there would be no lack of kindly attentions to each other, but that the husband would not only love his wife but manifest the same by his courteous attentions, while her conduct would show to all that she reverenced her husband. But parents are too thoughtless, too forgetful; they do not realize as they should the influence their daily acts have on those about them. Oh, mother, be careful; let nothing detrimental to the father escape your lips, and when he may correct or do anything to cross the wills of your children, do not let them find in you a sympathizer. Father be watchful; do not speak in a disrespectful way of the mother, unless you wish your children to do so too. Who is it that rises up before the hoary head? It is those who have been thus taught by their parents. Who is it who says kindly to mother or sister, Take this rocking chair or this easy seat? Is it not he who has formed the habit of being kind and courteous by following the example of a christian father? and the daughter who rises so cheerfully from her work to give her father a comfortable seat and warm corner, is one who has many times had it suggested to her by a kind hearted mother. I think many desire a different state of things in their families, who from their long neglect of courteous behavior, do not know how to obtain it. To such, and to all, I would say, There are almost daily occurrences in every family where kind feelings may be cultivated in children by their parents. Father, when those children come into your presence with some new or well patched garment just from the mother's hand, do not fail to mention her kindness in thus bestowing time and labor upon them, reminding them they should ever be attentive and obedient to all her requirements, then on the other hand when the new book, cap, or shoes are brought home, how easy for the mother to remind them how good they should be to a father who provides so many things for their comfort, in every instance directing their thoughts to him who is the Author of every good and perfect gift. Such a course will tend to cultivate that kindness of heart and courtesy of manner which the apostle recommends, and which is far more lovely than the superficial politeness of the present day.