Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-08-25
CHRISTIAN COURTESY.

There is courtesy and there is
Christian courtesy. There is a cour-
tesy that can be put on and let off to
suit circumstances. There is cour.
tesy that is an essential part of the
individual and can no more be left off
than the delicate complexion or the
mild blue eye.
The contrast buJwvvu tue vivgauU
toilet worn at an evening party and
the slovenly one in which the same
individual appears at the breakfast
table next morning is often no greater
than the contrast between the man
ners of the individual on the two oc.
casions. In fact, the contrast between
society dress and home dress is often
not so great as between society man
ners and home manners. The assumed
courtesy controls in the parlor, but
not in the dining or supper room, for
often in society the signal for refresh
ments IS only the signal for the re-
moval of masks THIS kind of cour.
tesy is only mask We have seen,
even in the "best society" a scramble
for best seats and best dishes not un.
like what is seen about the swine's
trough at feeding time. "Every man
for him self and the devil take the
hindermost."
This assumed courtesy runs no.risk
of getting soiled in the kitchen for the
mistress who has worn it in the parlor
puts it off when it becomes necessary
to give orders about meals OF cooking,
1t is worn with customers but not en-
ployees. II will not be injured in the
cars, or in crowds, whether about the
door of church or amusement hall, for
it is not worn in railway travel or in
crowds. Men and women would be
ashamed to be seen without it by ae.
quaintances, but care not how many
strangers sec them in all their native
and naked boorishness. On the street,
on cars, at hotels, and all places Of
public resort, the language OF conduct
is, "I don't know you, and what do
care for you am not going to sac
rificc anything, or take pains Tor any.
body whom don't know" This kind
of courtesy is moro common than is to
be desired.
Christian courtesy, or it you please
true courtesy, is the outworking, un'
der all circumstances and in all rela
tions, of genuine love. Peter hits II
when he says, "Livc as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous 1t is readiness
to take pains that another may have
comfort, and it matters not who that
other may be an observance OF rules
Of etiquette. There may or there may
not be elegance of manners and grace
of movement True politeness goes
deeper and has its roots in character
IN unvarying principles No man OF
woman can be really uncourteous
when controlled by an aflectionatC
interest in those by whom surrounded
The old squaw had the genuine article
when she secretly poured some tea
into her dish, sweetened It, and with
a kind look gave IL TO the captive
white woman brought into camp, II
was not particularly pleasant TO sec
her stirring the tea with her filthy
finger, but even this did not prevent
the deed being one OF true courtesy
We shall never forget the careiulnes'
with which one OF the toughest men
rough in dross, and rough in speech
and awkward in movement-laid the
first shovellnls OF gravel upon little
coffin in the western backwoods
In solicltude in the feelings oi
others we read the true gentleman
and what are clothes and manners il