OCR Text |
Show HINTS TO CHILDREN ON GOOD MANNERS. Never look over another person, when he is writing a letter, or read that which does not concern you. Never enter another's room abruptly, Have you special business? Knock gently at the door, or ask permission to enter. Never select the best articles of food at the table. Wait till you are helped. Be modest, polite, temperate. Never ask trifling or foolish question or enquire about things with which you are already familiar. "A fool's voice is known by a multitude of words." Never speak, unless you have something to say - think twice before you speak once. "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Never dissemble, feign yourself sickly unless proven unwell to avoid correction or some unpleasant thing. This is a species of lying, for which the Lord will not hold you guiltless. "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." "Put away from thee's iroward (forward?) mouth, and perverse lips put far from the." "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." Never be glad or rejoice at another's calamity or misfortune, even though he be your enemy. "He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." "Does thine enemy hunger, feed him, Does he thirst, give him drink; by so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head." "Overcome evil with good." Never mock or ridicule the poor, the infirm, or the aged. "He that mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker." "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool." Read the fearful doom of those wicked children who mocked Elisha, the holy prophet of God. Never set up your own will in oppositeion to your parents or teachers; submit calmly, sweetly, cheerfully. "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." Be kind and gentle to your brothers and sisters, invariably. When addressed by your parents or superiors, give immediate attention. When a favor is conferred, always express your gratitude politely to the person who bestows it. Little folks, whenever you enter a room always be careful to notice, respectfully, your superiors or those older than yourselves. Never interrupt persons engaged in conversation, reading or writing, but wait till a suitable opportunity is given you to speak. Never ask when you know. Never whisper in company, or make remarks on the dress of those about you, or about things that are in the room where you are. Never flatly contradict any person, and especially your superiors. Rather say, "Are you not mistaken, sir? I had supposed differently." Meekness and modesty are more precious than rubies. Be polite and courteous to everybody; true politeness in giving attention to little things, little acts of self-denial, kindness, and love, striving to make everybody happy. It is benevolence flowing from a noble, generous pious heart. It is, in a word, doing to others as would that others should do to us. - Mother's Magazine. |