The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-11

TRUE BENEvoLENCE AND WORLDLY
foLITENEss. Benevolence is certainly one
Vi the hrst OF virtues; and its result is an
amlabie aversion to wound the feelings OF
s.ners' even In tri1es; therefore benevo-
ience and Politeness may be considered as
the same thing; but WORLDLY PoLITENEss
Is only copy of 5enevolence. Benevo-
renee is gold; this politeness is currency,
coh'rived as Its substitute: as society, being
aware that benevolence is as rare as it is
precious, and that few are able to distin-
aulsh, In any thing, the false from the true,
resolved, In lieu Of benevoence, to receive
WORLDLY PoLITENEss, with all her train
OF oeceitful welcomes, heartless reSrets.
iase APPROPRIATIONS, and treacherous smiles !:
laoSe ailuring seemings, whic. shine
around her brow, and enable her TO pass
ior BENEyoLENCE herself.
but how must the religious andthe moral
uisiKe The one, though they venerable the
otner The kindness OF the worldly polite
only lives its little hour in ones presence :.
out that of the benevolent retains lis life
and sweetness in ones absence. The
worldly polite will often make the objects
OF their greatest batteries and attentions.
when present, the butt of their ridicue as
soon as they see them no more; while the
benevolent hold the characters ard qualities
OF Their associates in sort of holy keeping
at all times, and are as indulgent to the ab
sent as they we're attentiue to the present.
The Kindness of the worldly polite is the
gay and pleasing flower worn IN the bosom.
as the ornament of few hours; then suf-
tered to fade, and thrown by, when il is
wanted no longer but that of the really
benevolent, is the fresh springing evergreen,
which blooms on through all times, and ali
seasons, unfading in beauty, and undimin
lshlng in sweetness. But, it NAV be asked.
whether do not admit that the principle of
never Wounding the self-love or feelings of
any one, is a benevolent principle: and
whether it be not commendable to act on it
continually. Certainly, if sincerity goes
hand in hand with benevolence. But where
Is your benevolence, if you praise those to
tneir faces, whom you abuse as soon as
they have left you ?-where your benevo-
ience, II you welcome those, with smiling
urhanlty, whom you see drive off with a
Well l am glad they are gone" And
now common it is to hear persons, who
think themselves very moral, and very kind,
begin, as soon as their guests are departed.
and even when they are scarcely out of hear
ing, to criticse their dress, their manners.
and their characters while the poor pncon
srlons visitors, the dupes of their deceitful
courtesy, are going home delighted with
their visit, and saying "what a charming
evening they have passed, and what agree
able and kind hearted persons the master
and mistress of the house, and their family
are !" Surely, then, AM not refining too
much when | assert that the cordial SEEM
lngs, with which these deluded guests were
received, treated, and parted with, were
any thing rather than the LIES OF BENEye-
LENcE. L also believe that those who scru-
pie not, even from well-intentioned kind.
ness, TO utter spontaneous falsehoods, are
not gifted with much judgment and real
feeling, nor are they given to think deeply
for the virtues are nearly related, ard live
in the greatest harmony with each other =
consequently, sincerity and benevolence
must always agree, and not, as is often sup
posed, be at variance with each other. The
truly benevolent feel, and cultivate such
candid and kind views of those who asso-
clate with them, that they need not fear to
be sincere in their answers and if obliged
to speak an unwelcome truth, or an unwel-
come opinion, their well-prncipled kind
ness teaches them some way of making
what they utter palatable and benevolence
is gratified without injury to sincerity.
Mrs ODie.