The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1902-01-24

Felix as Judge and from the way
he greets the king: Il thank my
self, King Agrippa, because ! SHAH
answer for myself this day before
thee touching all the things WHEREOF
I am accused of the Jews, especially
because I know thee to be expert in
all customs and questions which are
among the Jews" I know that Paul
was a gentleman from the way he
opened his sermon on Mars hill, not
insulting his audience, as King
James translation implies, but say
ing: aye men of Athens, l perceive
that in all things We are very de-
vout." I know he was gentleman
from the fact that when he, with
others of shipwreck, on the island
of Melita visited the governor OF the
island, he was most impressed with
the courtesy shown them and report
ed that visit in these words: I'm the
same quarters were possessions OF
the chief man of the island, whose
name was Publius, who received US
and lodged us three days courteous
w." And then see those words of adj
vice which he gives: Bear We one
another's burdens;" "In honor pre-
ferring one another" Honor all
men"
What mighty means of useful
ness is courtesy! The lack OF il
brings to many dead failure, while
before those who possess 1T IN large
quantity all the doors of opportu-
nity are open. You can tell what ur-
banity does not come from study OF
books of etiquette, although such
books have their use, but from
mind full Of thoughtfulness for 9TH
ers and heart in sympathy with the
conditions of others. If those condi-
tions be prosperous, gladness for
the success, or if the conditions be
depressing, a sorrow for the unfavor-
able circumstances. All, this world
needs lighting up! To those OF us
who are prosperous it is no credit
that we live in a state of good cheer,
but in the lives of 80 out of 100 there
is pathetic side, taking off, def
icit, an anxiety, trouble. By q
genial look, by kind word, by help
full action, we may lift little OF the
burden and partly clear the way for
the stumbling foot. Oh, what glori-
Gus art it is to say the right word
in the right way at the right time!
How reprehensible the behavior OF
those who pride themselves on the
opposite quality and have genius
for saying disagreeable things, using
sarcasm and retort not for lawful
purposes, but to sting and humiliate
and hurt! didn't I take him down?"
s'Didn't I make him wince?" Didn't
I give it to him?" That is the spirit
of the devil, while the opposite is the
spirit of Christ.
The time must come when the world
will acknowledge international cour-
tesy. Now courtesy between nations
is chiefly made of rhetorical greeting,
but as soon as there is difference OF
interest their ministers plenipotentiary
are called home, and the guns of the
forts are put in position, and the army
and navy get ready. Why not cour-
tesy between nations that will defer
to each other and surrender a little
rather than have prolonged acrimony,
ending in great slaughter? Room for
all nations of the earth and all styles
Of government. What the world wants
is less armament and more courtesy,
less of the spirit of destruction and
more of the spirit of amity. This CEN
fury has opened with too many armies
in the field and too many men-of-war
on the ocean. Before the century closes
may the last cavalry horse be hitched
to the pillow and the last warship be-
come merchantmen.
So 1 applaud Christian courtesy. i
would put it upon the throne of every
heart in all the world. The beauty Of
it is that you may extend it to others
and have just as much of it-yea, more
of it-left in your own heart and life.
II is like the miracle of the loaves and
fishes, which, by being divided, were
multiplied until IL baskets were
filed with the remnants. 1t is like
torch. with which so lamps may be
lighted and yet the torch remain as
bright as before it lighted the first
lamp.
But this grace will not come to it's
,oronal until it reaches the heavenly
sphere. What world that must be
where selfishness and jealousy and
pride and acerbities of temper have
never entered and never will enter!
No struggle for precedence. No rival
nv between cherubim and seraphim.
No ambition as to who shall have the
front seats in the temple of God and