The Grace of Courtesy
Those who work for Christ are to be upright and trustworthy, firm
as a rock to principle, and at the same time kind and courteous. Cour-
tesy is one of the graces of the Spirit. To deal with human minds is
the greatest work ever given to man; and he who would find access to
hearts must heed the injunction, “Be pitiful, be courteous.” [
1 Peter
3:8
.] Love will do that which argument will fail to accomplish. But a
moment’s petulance, a single gruff answer, a lack of Christian polite-
ness and courtesy in some small matter, may result in the loss of both
friends and influence.
What Christ was on this earth, the Christian worker should strive
to be. He is our example, not only in His spotless purity, but in His
patience, gentleness, and winsomeness of disposition. His life is an
illustration of true courtesy. He had ever a kind look and a word
of comfort for the needy and the oppressed. His presence brought
a purer atmosphere into the home. His life was as leaven working
amid the elements of society. Pure and undefiled, He walked among
the thoughtless, the rude, the uncourteous; among unjust publicans,
unrighteous Samaritans, heathen soldiers, rough peasants, and the
mixed multitude. He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there.
As He saw men weary, and compelled to bear heavy burdens, He
shared their burdens, and repeated to them the lessons He had learned
from nature, of the love, the kindness, the goodness of God. He sought
to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before
them the assurance that they might attain such a character as would
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make them manifest as children of God.
The religion of Jesus softens whatever is hard and rough in the
temper, and smooths whatever is rugged and sharp in the manners.
It makes the words gentle and the demeanor winning. Let us learn
from Christ how to combine a high sense of purity and integrity with
sunniness of disposition. A kind, courteous Christian is the most
powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity.
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