Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-27
Natural Manners.
observations of a Philosophical Friend
of Ours)


Consider the lilies Of the field"
The great book OF nature is the express
sion of the divine mind, and makes
known TO us the character and ways Of
God. And we all honestly contemplating
them as in a glass, are changed. after
His fashion, TO higher and higher per-
lection. towards His image and enlarging
wisdom.
Not only does nature give us the earth
covered with trees and plants and flow
ers. with all the wonders and glories
Of land and sea, stored with riches, and
canopied with the Heavens: But every
thing CLEANS and throbs with live and
loving intelligence: appealing to our hearts
and minds, suggesting and unfold
ing secrets: opening our eyes and
understandings to the operations Of the
Infinite. The dignity and honor OF every
object OF our senses is the light that it
imparts to our minds and the emotions
that It quickens In our souls: the estab-
fishing Of the dominion of man by wis
dom and knowledge over all creation, and
enectlng his own glad submission to the
Supreme: as Son TO Father.
All nature is full of instruction to man
as a painter sculptor, architect, engineer
in the greatest and least occupations Of
life. The seeing eye and hearing ear and
understanding heart are forever recelv-
ing hints and admonitions from things
around them. The voice of nature for
ever cries: This is the way: walk We IN
It: or more Familiarity This is the way
to do It,
Mr.. Rushn's lectures on the Ethics
of the Dust" make the crystals teach
US virtues and graces. And, indeed, # is
! pretty sure that the school Of nature IS
more to be relied on than society life.
even to teach us manners. The children
| of Nature would not disobey her if they
| could, and they could not II they would.
/ And they are unfashioned by forms:
| simple children they don't know how to
! sin. But, like. human beings, they are
| demoralized and spoiled by the least
manipulation and restraint of the igno-
rant The crystals in clear calm water
| the trees growing by the waterslde: the
| lilies i'm the field: and the birds in the
air enjoy the glorious liberty of The chill
|
| istence: following the ways appointed for
| them by God.
Natural manners in man are like the
| natural and normal growth, development,
| and true existence of other works or
| the creation. The Creator has made
| our environments to teach US graces,
virtues. and good manners. His mighty
works in Heaven and Earth: The mar
yellous wisdom and power that they show
are meant to awe US into the rear
of Him. which is the beginning of wisdom
Wand modesty and reverence are the soul
! of good manners. They are natural.
| Moreover. all the works Of God praise
| Him. and compel US to His worship.
| Power. Wisdom, and Love tell Of Him
| Yet He does not appear In person 10
claim His rights and hon0rs. He teaches
us and exempli6es a divine modesty: as
| the Father Of Him who made Himself
of no reputation, when moving among
US.
He hides Himself as the Son aid on
earth: that God might be all in all.
These same beautiful graces or I'M
seldshness and modesty show themselves
| an through nature. The oak stands
| calm. sturdy. and unpretending In all IL
| greatness. it's protecting arms stretching
! Heayenward. The lily meekly and gently
| diffuses its sweetness and smiles IN IN
| conscious loneliness. And all the Mowers
that we love most teach US most I'M
pressively of essential merit and klndly
| free. easy self, forgetting service, ina
lends asking nothing again. The ram an'
sunshine. indeed, all the gifts OF COO II
common life. bespeak kind thoughuuines
and consideration and bounty, delight 10
doing good
The souls that come fresh from ma
ture's hand have natural manners--th'
hue and flavor Of Heaven. nature
quality folks" are impelled by kindly
instincts and guided by natural laws
that come from Him whose being J.
/ Light and Love. The dew OF their Drti
is from the womb Of the morning: a.
their fresh springs and inspirations arr
pure and true.
There are ugly and offensive plants an
animals. that are SO by nature. Ihei
manners betray their souls and maxi
them odious. They inspire dislike. NOx
ious. baleful weeds are cast out. just a.
the other sort are cherished. The sou
of the weed makes the manners OF I'M
weed: its influences and repulsions
The perfectest and competest etiquette
and social regulations and elegancies can
NOT cloak-coyer or disguise the detormi
Ties and essential yulgarlties and haVor
III n low and selfish soul. And. on "a
other hand, the light and fragrance @
a generous and noble. soul Will compe
acknowledgements from Everything human
rheir divine naturalness VIII make nj
manners good, the homeliest things plea
SAINT.