The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-29
DIR. TALMAGES SERMON
SUNDAYS DISCOURSE BY THE. NOTED
DIVINE. *.
Subject: The Grace OF Courtesy-Chrtstfan
Thoughtrulnsss is Born In the Heart
by the Power OF tile Holy Ghost-Speak

Th0u%htfulnesS Is B0rn In tno no6's
by the Power OF tile Holy Ghost-speak
Well OF One Another.
WASHINGTON, D. Gin this discourse
DR.. Talmage urges thoughtfulness tor otn-
ers, and shows how such benignant spirit
may be fostered; text, Peter Il, ., De
courteous"
In an age when bluntness has been ca
nonized as virtue it may be useful to e1-
tol one Of the mostSbeautiful of all the
royal family of graces-courtesy: 1t ls
graciousness, Difference to the wishes OF
others, good manners, afability, willing
ness to deny ourselves somewhat for the
advantage Of others, urbanity. But. what
is the use of nv defining the grace of cour.
tesy when we all know 80 we'll what it is!
The botanist might say some very inter
esting things about rose, and the chem
ist might discourse about water or light,
but without ever seeing botanlst or
chemist we know what a rose is and what
water and light are. Do not take our time
in telling us what courtesy is. Only show
US how we may get more of it and avoid
what are its counterfeits. Mark you, 1t
cannot be put on or dramatized success.
fully for a long while. We may be full OF
bows and genuhections, and smiles and
complimentary phrase, and have nothing
of genuine courtesy either IN our makeup
or in our demeanor. A backswoodsman
who never saw drawing room or dane
ing master or caterer or fold OF drap,,
cry may with his big soul and hard hand
and awkward salutation exercise the grace,
and educated in foreign schools, and both
cred to know which of ten garments ne
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
by the power of the Holy Ghost, who has
transformed and illumined and glorihed
ones nature. Mark you, am speaking
of the highest kind of courtesy, which is
Christian courtesy. Something like lt-or-
dinary politeness--may grow up with us
under the direction Of intelligent and
watchful parentage, but am not speaking
of that which is merely agreeableness OF
conversation and behavior, All that may
be a matter of tutelage and fine SURROUNDS
ing and show itself in lifting the. hat to
'passers.by and in graceful way Of asking
about your health and sending the right
kind of acceptance when you cannot go
and understanding all the laws of prefer
ence at table and parlor door, all OF which
is we'll. I am speaking of principle. OF
courtesy so implanted in ones nature that
his suavity Of conversation and manner
shall be the outburst of what he feels for
the happiness and welfare of others, q
principle that will work in the next world
as we'll as in this, and will be as appro-
pirate in the mansions Of heaven as IN
earthly dwelling places.
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 impersonatioh OF
all that can charm drawing rooms ana
cultivated circles. Aged men who knew
him in their youth have told me that ne
was the most irresistible man they ever
met, his voice silvery, his smile bewitch-
inc. his glove immaculate. his eye piercing,
his high forehead wreathed in curls. his
attire a fascination. He became Vice-Pres'
ident of the United States and within one
vote of being President. Men threw away
their fortunes to help him in his political
aspirations and to forward him in a con.
spiracy to overthrow the Government OF
the United States, he trying to do. IN
America what Napoleon at that very time
was irving to do in Europe-establish q
throne for himself. But he was immoral
and corrupt. He was the serpent that
wound its way into many a domestic par
adise. He shot to death one OF the great
est of Americans - Alexander Hamilton.
The world found out long ago before ne
left it that the offender speak OF was an
embodiment of dissoluteness and base am.
bition. He was the best illustration that
I know of the fact that man may nave
the appearance of courtesy while within he
is all wrong.
Absalom, Bible character, was q specl'
men of a man of polish outside and OF rot;
tenness inside. Beautiful, brilliant and
with such wealth of hair that when it was
cut in each December as a matter OF prldee
he had it weighed, and it. weighed zoo
shekels. He captured all who caI1e near
him. But, oh, what a heart he had-full
of treachery and unflial spirit and base;
ness! He was as baG as he was allurlng
and charming.
In the famous Athenian Alcibiades his.
tory discourses of the same splendor OF
manner covering utter depravity. Noble
pedicree, transcendent abilities, radiant
personality, eloquent tongue, triumphant
warrior, victor at Olympic games. put a
debauchee and an impersonation or all the
vices. Alas, that all up and down history
and clear on into our day there are go
many of what Christ called wolves IN
sleeps clothing, - "whItewashed sepai'
chers. full of dead mems bones and all un- I
eleanness!" Gilded abominations, walk;
inc lazerettos, attired in vermillion and
cold. Perdition hanging out the banners
of heaven. As far as possible are tney re-
moved from all genuine courtesy.
I ike what John Wesley said to a man
when their carriages met on the road.
The ruffian, knowing Mr.. Wesley and dis
liking him, did not turn out, but kept the
middle of the road. Mr.. Wesley cheerfully
gave the man all the road, himself riding
into the ditch. As they passed each other
the ruffian said, 81 never turn out for
fools" and Mr.. Wesley said, "I always
do" like the reproof which Chinammasn ma
in San Francisco gave an American; Inc
American pushed him off the sidewalk
until he fell into the mud. The Chlnaman
on rising began to brush off the mud and
heather. Goodbye" A stranger entered
a church in one of the cities and was al
lowed to stand long while, although gh there
was plenty of room. No one offered a seat;
The stranger after awhile said to one OF
She brethren, "What church is this?" The
answer was. "Christ's church, sir" rs
He in?" said the stranger. The officer OF
Che church understood what was meant
und gave him a seat. We want more cour-
tesy in places of business, more courtesy
in our homes.
But heart courtesy must precede hand
and head and foot courtesy. Cultivation
of it should begin in the fathers house.
You often notice that brothers and sisters
are often gruE and snappy and say things
and do things that they would not have the
outside world know about. Rough things
are sometimes said in households which
ought never to be said at all-teasing and
recrimination and fault;fnding and harsh
criticisms. which; will have their echo
thirty and forty and fifty years afterward.
In the sect driven by the east wind no
sweet flowers of kindness and geniality
will grow: