Courtesy and Kindness
325
and will do more to make home attractive than the rarest ornaments
[427]
that can be bought for gold
Varied Temperaments Must Blend—It is in the order of God
that persons of varied temperament should associate together. When
this is the case, each member of the household should sacredly regard
the feelings and respect the rights of the others. By this means mutual
consideration and forbearance will be cultivated, prejudices will be
softened, and rough points of character smoothed. Harmony may be
secured, and the blending of the varied temperaments may be a benefit
to each
Nothing Will Atone for Lack of Courtesy—Those who profess
to be followers of Christ and are at the same time rough, unkind, and
uncourteous in words and deportment have not learned of Jesus. A
blustering, overbearing, faultfinding man is not a Christian; for to be a
Christian is to be Christlike. The conduct of some professed Christians
is so lacking in kindness and courtesy that their good is evil spoken
of. Their sincerity may not be doubted; their uprightness may not be
questioned, but sincerity and uprightness will not atone for a lack of
kindness and courtesy. The Christian is to be sympathetic as well as
true, pitiful and courteous as well as upright and honest
Any negligence of acts of politeness and tender regard on the
part of brother for brother, any neglect of kind, encouraging words
in the family circle, parents with children and children with parents,
confirms habits which make the character unchristlike. But if these
little things are performed, they become great things. They increase
to large proportions. They breathe a sweet perfume in the life which
ascends to God as holy incense
[428]
Many Are Longing for Thoughtfulness—Many long intensely
for friendly sympathy.... We should be self-forgetful, ever looking out
for opportunities, even in little things, to show gratitude for the favors
we have received of others, and watching for opportunities to cheer
others and lighten and relieve their sorrows and burdens by acts of
tender kindness and little deeds of love. These thoughtful courtesies
that, commencing in our families, extend outside the family circle help
23
The Signs of the Times, October 2, 1884
.
24
The Signs of the Times, April 4, 1911
.
25
The Youth’s Instructor, March 31, 1908
.
26
Manuscript 107, 1898
.