p. 756 | CHRISTIAN MANNERS by Dwight Williams

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 2, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 48

CHRISTIAN MANNERS.

By Dwight Williams

The best manners come from the highest culture of head and heart. The Christian life is the outgoing of great purposes within, of kindness, purity, and honesty. The waters of a fountain do not study the steps they shall take as they go bounding down the valley. They leap and sing from little forces that reside in themselves. Peace on earth and good will to men must ever be the great law of our social methods. Books of politeness are well. Graceful street manners are worthy of our study. Our habits at the table should all be in good and delicate taste. In mingling with our equals there are proprieties which we must always observe, and not transcend. To those who rank above us we are to be respectful but not servile.

The best-mannered people do not offend their inferiors by haughty airs and social scorn. Courtesy is due all men. If there are gentlemen in broadcloth, there are such in fustian. They may be found in the mechanic’s shop as well as in the senate hall. Where love and purity abide, there the best manners will prevail, whether it be on the Brussels floor of the millionaire, or in the rude home of poverty.

Our religion is not ascetic. It gives play to the wisest social freedom. It presents the broadest social idea. It is the enemy of caste. The politeness of the world is often cruel and narrow. Equipage is more than brains. Birth is more than manliness. Worldly fashion is often despotic. It is heartless and often lacking in true culture and taste. Christianity gives no factitious rules of etiquette. It needs none. It is a law unto itself in the civilities of life. The Christian life exacts the highest proprieties of social conduct. It promotes the best modes of living. Its standard is higher than that of the world. Christianity brings men to the highest graces of moral and social loveliness.

The most beautiful types of festival life are found in the chaste restraints of our religion. Hospitality is a Christian duty. It should not be circumscribed by cold, artificial rules. Costly feasting is not according to the spirit of the gospel. Our festival life is often too selfish. If the Christian rich would oftener make dinners for the poor, instead of feasting at each other’s tables, it would be a great mutual blessing. The truest hospitality is not where the longest courses are served, but where love and friendship prompt the feast.

“In the heart a throne is lifted, Where a queenly one sits down; For the lowly or the gifted Smiles she hath beneath her crown; Like herself her law hath beauty,— Love upon her throne of duty— Reigning well, Multitudes her praises tell.

“Serving much, she ruleth better, Binding all with silken cords; In the spirit, not the letter, Is her code of written words; Love it is, divine and human, In the heart of man or woman, Ruleth best, With her, all the graces rest.”

Christian manners, then, are the outgrowth of the Christian spirit. They are all compatible with art and eloquence. Our religion encourages the highest accomplishments. William Wilberforce, of whom it was said that he was the most pious man in England, was at the same time the most polished ornament of the élite of English society. Good manners are indigenous to the Christian life. As Christ, the model of manliness, prevails, so shall the pleasing arts of social refinement grow, and Christian manners more and more control the habits of men.—Rev. Dwight Williams.