Chapter 26—Courtesy and Reserve
Courtesy Begins in the Home [
Note: see
The Adventist Home,
421-429
, chapter entitled “Courtesy and Kindness.”]—Parents, teach
your children ... how to conduct themselves in the home with true
politeness. Educate them to show kindness and tenderness to one
another. Allow no selfishness to live in the heart or find room in the
home
The youth who grow up careless and rude in words and manners
reveal the character of their home training. The parents have not
realized the importance of their stewardship; and the harvest they have
sown, they have also reaped
Principles of Heaven to Pervade—The principles of heaven are
to be brought into the government of the home. Every child is to be
taught to be polite, compassionate, loving, pitiful, courteous, tender-
hearted
When all are members of the royal family, there will be true polite-
ness in the home life. Each member of the family will seek to make it
pleasant for every other member
Teach It by Precept and Example—Children, as well as those
of older years, are exposed to temptations; and the older members
of the family should give them, by precept and example, lessons in
courtesy, cheerfulness, affection, and in the faithful discharge of their
daily duties
[144]
Respect for Weary Feet Nearing Their Rest—And God has es-
pecially enjoined tender respect toward the aged. He says, “The hoary
head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
Proverbs 16:31
. It tells of battles fought and victories gained, of bur-
dens borne and temptations resisted. It tells of weary feet nearing their
rest, of places soon to be vacant. Help the children to think of this, and
1
Manuscript 74, 1900
.
2
Manuscript 117, 1899
.
3
Manuscript 100, 1902
.
4
Manuscript 60, 1903
.
5
Manuscript 27, 1896
.
105