Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-09-12

That man is a mechanic is no reason why
he should not be perfect gentleman.
affirm for every American citizen the light
to be not simply man, but goodman
nered man. have seen men at the anvil
who were as perfect gentlemen as men Of
books or men of society. 1 know no rea-
son why man who tans hides should not
be gentleman. know no reason why
man who digs in the SOIL man who works
in metals and woods, man who builds,
should not be a perfect gentleman. There
is nothing in mechanical operation which
is incompatible with the highest courtesy.
Not only is the violation of good manners
lnexcusable on ordinary grounds, but it is
sinful. When, therefore, parents and guar
dians and teachers would inspire the young
with desire for the manners of good So
ciety, it is not to be thought that they are
accomplishments which may be accepted
or rejected. Every man is bound to OBJ
serve the laws of politeness. 1t is the ex-
preston of good will and kindness. 1t
promotes both beauty in the man who pos
sesses it, and happiness in those who are
about him. 1t is a religious duty and
should be a part of religious training.
There is a great deal of contempt express
ed for what is called etiquette in society.
Now and then there are elements of eti-
quette which perhaps might well be ridi-
culed but in the main there is n Just rea-
son for all those customs which como un-
der the head of etiquette. There is a rea-
son which has regard TO facility of inter-
course. There is a reason in the avoidance
of oflense. There is a reason in comfort
and happiness. And no one can afford to
violate these unwritten customs of eti-
quette who wishes TO act as a Christian gem
tleman.
may speak, also, of a tendency which
is bred by our institutions-the want of
veneration. There are various ways in
which this want of veneraton shows itself.
We often hear that there is not the same
respect shown for the aged that there used
to be. We know that there is very little
respect shown for magistrates and men in
authority. This is partly due, think, to
the institutions under which we live One
Of the unfortunate effects derived from the
early stages of democratic training is the
sense Of personal sovereignty; the feeling
body else Under monarchical institutions
men are taught 10 revere the great and glo-
rious in government. The feeling of rev.
erence does not prevail 10 any great extent
among us. 1 discern a great lack in this
respect. Children, nowadays, are brought
up to be saucy, TO be almost without re-
straint. They are brought up to have very
little regard for their parents or their supe-
riors. And although there are great ma
ny Christian. households where children
are rightly bred in this regard, il seems to
me there has been decay Of that nstruc-
ton which used to prevail, the tendency of
which was 10 make children modest and
respectful. We bring up our children TO
be old, and smart, and imperinent.
This courtesy which carries with il re-
spect this testimony of veneration to the
aged this yielding ones self in thous-
and little society rites for the sake of max
ing others happy-oh, what brightness it
gives 10 life! What Beauty, what adorn-
ment it gives 10 Christian character!
There are many other points that might
sp oak Of The effect of punctuality and
order the relations which men sustain to
each cthcr's convenience and necessities
these, and a hundred other branches of this
subject, might discourse upon; but it is
not necessary that l should go into them.
l have given such examples as l have,
merely as specimens, for the purpose OF
calling your attention TO the ininuteness
and carelulness with which the Scripture
inculcates these things. 1t enjoins not on
ly the right spirit, but the right spirit man
ifested in the most beautiful way.-Hemy
Ward Deecher.