The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-06-24
CHRISTIAN COURTESY.

the Family Fireside.
The elders of Ephesus beautifully ex-
emplified their Christian courtesy when,
the Apostle Paul taking leave of them
to go to Jerusalem, ''they accompanied
him unto tie ship" II they had been
Christians of coarser mold they would
have given the parting kiss and allowed
him to find his way to the ship alone.
while they at once repaired to their
homes or returned to their accustomed
pursuits.
Such acts of courtesy were common
among the early Christians. When it
had been determined that Paul and
Barnabas and others should be sent as
delegates to the council at Jerusalem
''they were brought on their way by
the church," that is, publicly escorted
part of the distance.
In this matter-of-fact age of ours,
there is SO much rush and hurry, that
we think we have no time for the little
civilities of social and Christian life.
But neither custom nor circumstances
may be allowed to justify the Christian
in forgetting or neglecting those words
and acts of kindness required by the
laws of our religion and prompted by
it's generous spirit.
In no place is Christian courtesy moro
becoming or more appropriate than in
the home, at the family table, and fam
lily fireside. And yet how little of it is
exemplified even in many Christian
homes? The true and tender affection
which the husband and wife feel exists
between them, it would seem, is some
times thought TO be so deep and sincere
that the little formalities and civilities,
observed in intercourse with strangers,
may be dispensed with in the family.
But because Satan sometimes trans
forms himself into an angel of light,
we must not reject the loving minis
tries of the holy angels; neither must
we undervalue Christian civility be-
cause its counterfeit deceives many.
Christian courtesy is one of the love-
lest products Of Divine grace. Its ex.
hibition in the lives and conduct Of
Gods people beautifully illustrates the
benefcient and gentle spirit of the re-
ligion Of the Lord Jesus. The closer
we follow the example Of Christ, the
more fully and constantly will we dis
play it in our words and actions, and in
all our intercourse with brethren.
If parents are uncivil, it is not to be
expected that the children and the
servants will be otherwise. Rough
ness and rudeness, rather than urbani
W and kindness, will characterize the
household. There is, we believe, more
Christian courtesy exhibited among
ministers of the Gospel, than among
any other class of men. And yet, par
titularly in public meetings and churcl
courts, there is occasionally lack O.
conventional decorum and brotherly
courtesy hurtful to both harmony ant
dignity.
Courtesy in social life is too often ar
tifcial and constrained. 1t is some
times employed for unworthy ends
The innocent and unsuspecting hav,
been beguiled by it. What seemed t.
be an act of genuine kindness, per
formed with delicacy and tenderness
was nothing but the art of the deceiver
; If there was not so much selfshnes
in us by nature, and so much of it still
remaining in us even after we becom
the subjects of Divine grace, Their
would be a better development of tn
generous affections and kindly quail
ties of the new heart. A more con
) scientious recognition of the rights, tn
interests and the happiness of Others
1 which, through selfishness or inatten
. ton, are too often overlooked, woul
greatly promote that benevolent spirit
: that kindly sympathy, that Christ-lik
: tenderness, which is the very soul G
Y Christian courtesy.-United Presbyte