Smyrna times., 1866-08-22
NJ l S c LII A N E.OUS.
Written for the "Smyrna Tunes"
"Be Courteous"

The necessity of courtesy in our intercourse
one with another, has not only been recon-
mended in modern days by Chesterfield. but
lar anterior by many centuries; it was not
thought unworthy of the attention of the Amos
ties OF our Lord. 1t is not simply recommended
to our practice by the inspired penmen, but it
falls on our ears with all the authority of a
command. Like the injunction 9 Be We holy, .
1t Is said lmperativey Be courteous"
lhe one through whom this command was
delivered, previous to his call to be a disciple
ot Jesus, had no opportunities Of learning the
rcnncments OF life; but Christianity inspired
hllli' ami taught HIM more eftectualy than "a
Thorough educational drill on that subject could
have done.
Paul, i'll his early education, and superior
| advantages and Intercourse with the higher
circles OF society, was the very reverse Of Peter
But he was bhnd'y attached to his national re-
lIglon, and however courteous he was to those
OF his own belief, he proved TO be one of the
most dlscourteous men upon earth to those
who did not lmblbe is views Of orthodoxy
And why? Because he was a fanatic. But
when God arrested him OH his prosecuting tour.
| and he fell to the earth struck with blindness.
he learned another lesson. He was clad 10
have miracle wrought upon hi, eyes by one
OF that sect he had a commission To pcrSccute.
And what great spiritual change came over
hun, We may infer from his views with regard
to manners. His ethical views seem to have
undergone complete resurrection aud in the
luiIness OF his heart he reveals the Inspiration
ne ielt, IN the same Imperative style as Peter
lie says, Give none offence, neither to the
Jews, nor TO the Gentiles, nor to the Church
ol O0d In this choice verse We are com
manded to be civil towards all men, of what
ever nation or religion, for all were embraced
In that period as Jews, Gentiles, and Church
OF God, which was the Christian Church
We have many thousand opportunities for
the exercise of courtesy, and thus render our
selves agreeable not only to others, but to God
and ourselves. And yet too often these oppor-
tunties pass by unheeded, ond our hearts are
almost petrifed by the cold, icy manner of in.
difference which is manifested by the multi
tude, and which seems to say, | care for nObO-
dy but myself And just in proportion as we
become Indifferent to this subject, we retro
grade into unclvllization.
! While travelling along through the pathway
OF LIE, as society now stands, it is impossible
that all we meet with should be in accordance
with good taste, or good feeling. Occasionally
we may meet with the high and lofty refine
ments OF life, but the ordinary thoroughfare
are generally filled with the baser metal, will
now and then a sprinkling of the golden ore
frequently, when we have suffered from dis
courtesy, when our memory has served us well
it has brought to our recollection distich
written by one of the British poets, which W,
safely garnered in our youth, and which actec
like a taisman and saved us from vexation
The lines alluded to were these
"A moral, sensible and well-bred man,
Will not affront me- and no other can"
It is truth worth remembering, that we hav
. always, we believe found the discOurteous lack
ing in one or more of the above qualifications
and consequently, we are seldom, thrown Of
our guard sufficiently to get out OF temper
The most prominent characteristic OF the gen
tlenan and lady is. that they will not voluntar
ily wound the feelings of others by treatin
them with rudeness. NARcIssA.
Smyrna, Aug 9Th, 1866.