Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-01-18

Copyright Louis Klopsch 1907
81 this discourse DR.. Talmage urges
III tbcughtfulness for others ard shows
- how a benignsnt spirit may be fos-
tered; text. l. Peter H.. 8, be courteous"
In an age when bluntness has been
canoniZed as a virtue il may be useful
10 extol one OF the most beautiful Of all
the royal family of graces-courtesy. 1t
is graciouSness. Difference to the wishes
OF others, good manners. affabihty, will
ingnesS TO deny ourselves somewhat for
the advantage of others, urbanity But
what Is the use of my defining the grace
of courtesy when we all know SO well
what it is?
Christian courtesy is born in the heart
by the power of the Holy Chest. who has
transformed and illumined and giorihed
ones nature. Mark you, | am speaking
of the highest kind of courtesy, which is
Christian courtesy. Something like it
ordinary politeness may grow up with
us under the direction of Intelligent and
watchful parentage. but | am not speak
| ing of that which is merely agreeable
ness of conversation and behavior All
that may be q matter OF tutelage and fine
surrounding and show itself in lifting the
| hat to passersby and in graceful way
of asking about your health and sending
the right kind of acceptance when you
can so and the right kind OF regrets when
you cannot go and understanding all the
laws OF preference nj table and parlor
door, all of which is well. | am speaking
of principle of courtesy SO implanted in
ones nature that his suavity OF CONVEX
sation and manner shall he the outburst
of what he feels for the happiness and
welfare Of others, principle that will
work in the next world AS we'll rs in this
| and will be as appropriate in the man
sions Of heaven rs in earthly dwelling
places.
Undesirable People.
Now, you know as well as do that
some Of the most undesirable people have
been seeming incarnations of courtesy
In our early American history there arose
man Of wonderful talent. an impersona-
| tion OF all that can charm drawing rooms
and cultivated circles. Aged men who
knew him in their youth have told me
that he was the most irresistible man
they ever met. his voice sllvery, his smile
bewitching, his glove immaculate, his eye
piercing, his high forehead wreathed in
curls, his attire fascination. lie be
came Vice President of the United States
and within one vote OF being President
Men threw away their fortunes TO help
him in his political aspirations aud TO
forward him in 8 conspiracy to overthrow
the government of the United States, he
trying to do in America what Napoleon
at that very time was trying to do in
Europe-estahlish throne for himself.
But he was immoral and corrupt He
was the serpent that wound it's way into
many a domestic paradise. He shot to
death one of the greatest OF Americans
Alexander Hamilton. The world found
out long before he left it that the offend
er | speak Of was an embodiment Of dis
soluteness and base ambition. lie was
the best illustration that know OF OF The
fact that man may have the appearance
OF courtesy while within he is all wrong
Absalom. Bible character, was a spec
linen OF man Of polish outside aud OF
rottenness inside. Beautiful brilliant
and with such wealth OF hair that when
it was cut in each December a a matter
of pride he had il weighed and ii weigh
Ell 200 shckcs. lie captured all who
came near him. But, oh. what heart
he had-flll of treachcry and unflial
spirit and bosencss, He was rs bad as
he was allurjng and charming.
| like what John Wesley said TO IA
man when their carriages met on the
road. The ruhian, knowing Mr. Wesley
and disiiking him. did not turn out. but
kept the middle Of the road Mr. Wes-
ley cheerfully gave the man all the road,
himself riding int the ditch. As they
passed each other the rudian said. II
never turn Out for fools. and Mr. Yves
ley said. II always do like the
reproof which n Chiuaman in San Fran
cisco gave IN American. The American
pushed him of the sidewalk until he fell
into the mud. The Chnaman on rising
began 10 brush off the mud and said TO
the American: "Non Christian; me heath
en-. Goodby.' stranger entered q
church in one ~ the cities and was al
lowed TO stand a long while, although
there was plenty Of room. No one offered
seat The stranger after awhile said to
one Of the brethren, What church Is
this The answer was. "Cbrists church.
sir" rs he iu:' said abe stranger The
officer of the church understood what was
meant and gave him seat. We want
more courtesy in the churches. more cour-
tcSy in places Of business, more courtesy
in orr homes.
But heart courtesy must prcccde hand
ana head and foot courtesy Cultivation
Of it should begin in the fathers house.
Iou often notice that brothers and sisters
are often gruf and snappy and say things
and do things that they would not have
the outside world know about Rough
things are sometime, said in households
which ought never TO he SAID az all-teas-
ing and recrimina.ion and fault finding
and harsh criticism, which will have their
echo thirty and forty and fifty years af-
tcrward. We never get over our first
home, however many homes we may
have afterward.
Cultivate Christian Grace.
Let US all cultivate this grace Of Chris
tan courtesy by INDUCING in the habit
of praise instead Of the habit Of blame
There are evils in the world that we
must denounce, and there are men and
women vino ought 10 be chastised bat
never !et us allow tho opportunity o. ap
p.auaine good deeds pass unimproyed.