The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-02-10
Sermons for Girls-Behavior
BY MARGARET E. sANGSTRR.

am writing for girls, and wish !
could impress upon their minds the real
golden worth of good manners. No COM
pany manners. No one who knows any
thing of life, or of human nature, will
ever adopt the false idea that manners
are things to be taken off and put on
at pleasure. You cannot lay your sweet
smiles and your soft words away with
your best silk dress in the closet and ex-
pect to find them again when you want
them. Manner is the index to character.
Your habitual behavior is the unerring
exponent of your heart, and mind, and
soul. have sometimes seen silly mothers
excessively mortified because their little
children offended in matters of etiquette
when guests we're present. They were
amazed that Harry should enter the room
with his hat on and that Louise should
reach over her sister to help herself to the
cake. But there was no cause for sur
prise. Louise and Harry were aecustom-
ed to do these things when there were no
visitors, and they could not help reveal
ing the family training at an inconven-
lent season.
Behavior is thing ingrained, and it is
the sum and result of hundred thou"
sand apparent accidents. The atmos-
phere Of your household, the style OF
your thought, the influence of your read
ing, the grade of your companionship-
all help to give tone to your usual con"
duct. The "nameless charm," which in
some women leads all hearts captive, ii;
far oftener found in perfect manners than
in any other gift or grace, whether of wit,
sloquence, learning or beauty.
] recommend the habit of a gracious
and lovely carriage of ones life at home,
and base it on Christian unselfshness.
There are certain classes of people, to.
ward whom young women should TAX.
pains to be especially thoughtful and
courteous. First their parents. Moth
Ing in this world is more delightful than
the relation which often exists between q
father and q daughter. The intuitivs
comprehension, the sympathy in taste,
and studies, and the cooperation which
grow up between an honored father and
q tenderly cherished daughter, are beau
tiful exceedingly. And mother ought
always to be, not her daughters guardian
and guide only, but also her most inti-
mate friend. She is almost always her
safest confdant and her wisest adviser.
But where, unfortunately, as itsometimes
happens, for we cannot shut our eyes to
facts, parents are not all they should be,
even then the love of the daughter should
throw mantle over their failings, and
honor the bond, for Christ's sake. To
hear young girl speak of her father or
her mother in tones that are wanting in
respect, or to see her treat either or both
of them with churlish rudeness, or inso-
lent carelessness, pains all lockers on and
stamps the girl herself as less than wo-
manly. Once in public place I over
heard young lady talking with her gen.
tleman escort, concerning her mother,
"Oh," she said flippantly, "Ma is the last
person ever consult. I don't care for
her opinion in the least" The pretty,
foolish face, flushed with pleasure at the
admiration of its companion, did not
know how hateful that declaration had
made it, to all sensible people in its
vicinity. A friend once told me of a lit
tie incident which he saw. 1t was at q
hotel, and there was there young lady
who, for beauty, brilliance and PoPu-
larity, bore away the palm from all her
companions. One morning when mirth
was at its height, some of the young men
and women began to amuse themselves
in the way-a most contemplate way,
too--of making fun of lady who had
appeared for the first time in the parlor.
The lady's dress was outre, and her ap-
pearance showed that she was perhaps
vulgar, and certainly dowdy. While the
convert sneers and unkind raillery were
going ON, the girl who had been the belle
entered. She instantly comprehended
the situation, and walking up to the
lady,s side, with inimitable grace and
dignity, she said, "Let me introduce to
you all, my mother"
Never be ashamed of your parents.
Never be ashamed of anybody, aunt, cou-
sin, or friend of the family, though ever
80 odd, or poor, or peculiar. Shame is
base. Shame is unworthy truly wo-
manly woman.
Be very attentive to the aged, very pa;
tient and very compassionate toward
them. Be very kind to little children.
I can, you see, only indicate outlines,
and YOU must fill in for yourselves. Be
especially considerate and polite to all
servants in your own and in your neigh
bors' homes. Do not give them unneces-
,,o0or tn fhank