The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-19
DIR. TALMAGE'S SERMON.

Washington. Jan. 12.-In this discourse Dr.. Talmage urges thoughtfulness for others and shows how such a benignant ypirit may be fostered; text, Peter, 1. 8. Be courteous"
 In an age when bluntness has been -,anonized as virtue, it may be useful io extol one of the most beautiful of all the royal family of graces-courtesy. It Is graciousness, difference to the wishes of others. good manenrs, affability, will dngness to deny ourselves somewhat for the advantage of others, urbanity. But what is the use of my defining the grace 2 what it is? The botanists might say some very interesting things about a rose. and the chemist might discourse about water or light, but without ever yeefng a botanist or chemist we know what a rose is and what water and light are. Do not take our time in telling us wht courtesy is Only show us how We may get more of 1t and avoid what be put on or dramatized successful for : a long while. We may be full of bows and genufections, and smiles and com plimentary phrase, and have nothing of genuine courtesy either in our makeup or in our demeanor. A backwoodsman who never saw a drawing room or a dancing master or d caterer or fold of drapery may with his big soul and aard hand and awkward salutation exer- sise the grace. while one born under richest upholstery and educated in for fign schools and bothered to know which Of ten garments she will take from a royal wardrobe. may be as barren of the spirit of courtesy as the great Sahara desert is of green meadows and tossing fountains.
 Christian courtesy is born in the heart y the power of the Holy Ghost, who has transformed and illumined and glori- hed ones nature. Mark you, l am which is Christian courtesy. Some thing like it-ordinary politeness-m ay grow up with us under the direction of Intelligent and watchful parentage. but merely agreeablsness of conversation and behavior. All that may be a matter of tutelage and fine surroundings and yhow itself in lifting the hat to pass srsby and in a graceful way of asking about your health and sending the right kind of regrets when you cannot go and understanding all the laws of preference Is well. I am speaking of principle of courtesy so implanted ip ones nature that his suavity of conversation and manner shall be the outburst of what he feels for the happiness and welfare of others, a principle that will work in the next world as well as in this and will be as appropriate in the mansions of Heaven as in earthly dwelling places.
 Undesirable People.
 Now, you know as we'll as I do that some of the most undesirable people have been seemingly incarnations or cour- tesy. In our early American history there arose a man of wonderful talent, drawing rooms and cultivated cir Inae7 their N youth % have have told me that he was the most irresist- his smile bewitching, his glove immacu- late. his eye piercing, his high forehead Wreathed in curls, his attire fascfna- tion. He became Vice-President of the tIntfads GfataQ nd xvith hin Vssta of be- Ing President. Men threw away their fortunes to help him in his political as- pirations and to forward him in con Bpiracy to overthrow the government of the United States, he trying to do in America what Napoleon was trying to do In Europe-establsh throne for himself. But he was immoral and corrupt. He was the serpent that wound its way Into many a domestic paradise. He shot to death one of the greatest of Ameri- cans-Alexander Hamilton. The world found out long before he left 1t that the offender I speak of was an embodiment of dissolutepess and base ambition. He was the best illustration that l know of of flthe fact that man may have the appearance of courtesy While within ne Is all wrong.
 Absalom, Bible character, was a specimen of & man of polish outside, and of rottenness inside. Beautiful. bril- liant and with such wealth of hair that when it was cut in each December as a matter of pride he had 1t weighed. and 1t weighed 200 ShekelS. He captured all who came near him. But, oh, what a heart he had--full of treachery and un- flial spirit and baseness! He was as bad as he was alluring nd charming.
 In the famous Athenian Alcibiades his- tory .discourses of the same splendor of manner covering utter depravity. Noble pedigree, transcendent abilities, radiant personality, eloquent tongue, triumphant warrior, victor at Olympic games, but debaucher and an imper- sonation of all the vices. Alas. that all up and down history and clear on into our day there are SD many of what Christ called wolves in sheep's clothing "whitewashed cepulchres. full of deld mems bones and all uncleanness" Gid ed aDominations, walking lazarettos. att tired in vermillion and gold. Perdition hanging cut the banners of Heaven. As far as possible are they removed from all genuine courtesy.
 Heart Courtesy.
 like what John Wesley said to a man when their carriages met on the road. The ruffian, knowing MT. Wesley and disliking him: did not turn out, but kept the middle of the road. MT. Wesley cheerfully gave the man all the road, passed each other the ruffian said: T never turn out for fools" and MT Wes- lev said. Il always do." I like the re- proof winch a Chinaman in San Fran cisco gave an American. The AmArican pushed him of the sidewalk until he fell into the mud The Chinaman on rising began to brush off the mud and said to the American: You Christian;