RESULTS OF GOOD-BREEDING IN THE HOME CIRCLE.

The laws of good-breeding in no place bear more gratifying results than in the home circle.  Here, tempered with love, and nurtured by all kindly impulses, they bear the choicest fruit.  A true lady will show as much courtesy, and observe the duties of politeness as unfailingly, toward every member of her family as toward her most distinguished guest.  A true gentleman will feel bound to exercise courtesy and kindness in his intercourse with those who depend upon him for protection and example.  Children influenced by such examples at home, will never fail to show to their elders the respect due them, to their young companions the same consideration for their feelings which they expect to meet with in return, nor to servants that patience which even the best too often require.  In such a home peace and good will are the household gods.

FAULT-FINDING AND GRUMBLING.

The oil of civility is required to make the wheels of domestic life run smoothly.  The habit of fault-finding and grumbling indulged in by some, is an exceedingly vexatious one, and will, in time, ruffle the calmest spirit and the sweetest temper.  It is the little annoyances, perplexities and misfortunes which often render life a burden; the little omission of minor duties and the committing of little faults that perpetually scourge us and keep the heart sore.  Constant fault-finding, persistent misrepresentations of motives, suspicions of evil where no evil was intended, will complete the work in all but the finest and most heroic natures.  They alone can stand the fiery test, coming out purer and stronger for the ordeal.  Children who habitually obey the commandment, “Be kind to one another,” will find in mature life, how strong the bonds of affection may be that bind the members of the household together.

FAMILY JARS NOT TO BE MADE PUBLIC.

Whatever may be the family disagreements, they should never be made known outside of the home circle, if it can be avoided.  Those who expose the faults of the members of their family are severely judged by the world, and no provocation can be a good excuse for it.  It is exceedingly vulgar, not to say unchristianlike, for the members of the same family to be at enmity with one another.

YIELDING TO ONE ANOTHER.

One of the greatest disciplines of human life, is that which teaches us to yield our wills to those who have a claim upon us to do so, even in trifling, every-day affairs; the wife to the husband, children to parents, to teachers and to one another.  In cases where principle is concerned, it is, of course, necessary to be firm, which requires an exercise of moral courage.

CONFLICTING INTERESTS.