Courtesy and Kindness
323
“Love suffereth long, and is kind;
Love envieth not;
Love vaunteth not itself,
Is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly,
Seeketh not its own,
Is not provoked,
Taketh not account of evil;
Rejoiceth not in unrighteousness,
But rejoiceth with the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things,
Hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love never faileth.
[425]
The Bible enjoins courtesy; and it presents many illustrations of the
unselfish spirit, the gentle grace, the winsome temper, that characterize
true politeness. These are but reflections of the character of Christ.
All the real tenderness and courtesy in the world, even among those
who do not acknowledge His name, is from Him. And He desires
these characteristics to be perfectly reflected in His children. It is His
purpose that in us men shall behold His beauty
Christianity will make a man a gentleman. Christ was courteous,
even to His persecutors; and His true followers will manifest the same
spirit. Look at Paul when brought before rulers. His speech before
Agrippa is an illustration of true courtesy as well as persuasive elo-
quence. The gospel does not encourage the formal politeness current
with the world, but the courtesy that springs from real kindness of
heart
We do not plead for a manifestation of what the world calls cour-
tesy, but for that courtesy which everyone will take with him to the
mansions of the blessed
True Courtesy Must Be Motivated by Love—The most careful
cultivation of the outward proprieties of life is not sufficient to shut
out all fretfulness, harsh judgment, and unbecoming speech. True
15
Education, 242
.
16
Ibid., 241, 242
.
17
The Ministry of Healing, 489, 490
.
18
The Signs of the Times, August 13, 1912
.