Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-10-26
THE HOUSEHOLD.
The Grace Of Consideration

Do you know what it is that oils the ma
/ chine called Life and makes its wheels to
/ run smoothly and with perfect quietness
1t is consideration for another's feelings
actual obedience every day to the golden
rule Of doing what you would wish others
to do unto you. It is certainly pleasant to
have a devoted friend who on occasion will
espouse your cause aud who is willing TO do
great and generous deeds for you but to
| find the same loved one considerable of your
small weaknesses, of your nerves, of your
comfort in little things, is jov much greater
because more rare. The hero of the battl, e.
| field is crowned with wreath Of myrtle (;
the hero Of the every day conflict finds only
that he is appreciated and loved.
Good breeding is another name for this
grace. for often like an outer garment it is
laid off at the door of the house or the count
ing ROOM aud all the petty vices it forbds
are given full play What are these vices I
| First of all, fault finding. Somebody has
said that person who is continually finding
fault is usually of a very nervous tempera-
ment and could, least of all, endure that
which he inilicts upon another. When the
| fault-hnding begins summon TO your aid the
grace of silence or even though your eyes
| be burning with unshed tears and every
nerve in your body be tngling with vexation,
| try to speak a pleasant word and thus stem
the tide of quarrel at its rising. A peevish,
| fault finding person is generally in poor
| health indeed, depression on proper food
and exercise would he decidedly apropos in
this connection. But if womankind will
remember that it makes them old and ugly
| in face and less loving in heart, it seems as
if they should remember to say Che gracious
rather than the unpleasant word, and be re-
warded with smile rather than with an
angry or hurt look.
We form societies to supply the heather
with catechisms and clothing, but why does
not somebody form a society for speaking
pleasant words There is no reason why
you may not form one quite alone; be presi-
dent, for you give decisions secretary be
cause YOU will send out the good words by
post and treasurer because you will hoard
the golden results for the deeper you dig
this mine of pleasant words the larger re
turns will it yield in Jumps of the gold called
friendship and love. After little time it
will become quite as easy to say pleasant as
dissagreeable words, and for the latter your
only return will be in kinda sorry reward.
Selfshness in small things is a compare
lively modern vice. Our grandmothers
were taught that it was rude to occupy the
most comfortable chair in the room, to
choose the daintiest bit of food, or to think
first of themselves. Science has discovered
new modes of seltishness. The woman
whose hobby is fresh air and who ventilates
her rooms with a small clycone may not only
make you uncomfortable but may infict an
attack of pneumonia upon you. The other
woman with some notions about health food
may send you away from her table hungry
She was too selfish to make her own wishes
subservient to the tastes Of her guest. A
loving mother does not make selfish children,
but "a foolish one does. One teaches that,
for dear loves sake, the best must be given
to the weakest or the youngest or the girls
the other teaches, that the one child has a
right to demand Whatever it most desires.
The result is that in the first house the gift
is taken as it is given, appreciated and re
membered, while in the other it is claimed
as a right
The boys, and girls too, are to be taught
the doctrine of consideration, for they have
their lives to work out. They have before
them path which is quite apt to be rough,
and much in it will be less heavy to bear,
and the fact that the sun is shining behird
the clouds will be Remembered if only they
are taught to be considerable of their com.
panions on the long journey. You and
are not too old to learn, but we have made
mistakes, which they may be spared by
timely warning. Consider more the happi-
ness of others, forbear to speak lightly, and
remember that if one thinks only Of ones
self, in time one will be loved only by ones
self Close your eyes to that which your
friend would not wish toyou see, and you
willnot only make but keep friends. Do you
know who the first of these friends should
be The mother who reared you, the hus-
band who loves you, and the little child that
calls you mother" To be able in ones
own home to combine friendship and love
is the secret of happy life Have other
friends, but let these he first; and every
night as you kneel and give thanks for
happy day passed, every morning as you
pray for help to be good and true during
the day, ask God to teach you the grace of
consideration DeIineutOr