You half smile in our face at the suggestion, and say, “Merchants are not in the habit of troubling themselves to send all over the city to pay the little paltry bills of mechanics.  If money is worth having, it is worth sending or calling for.”

In thought, reverse your positions, and apply the rule for a Christian gentleman; remembering, at the same time, that God is no respecter of persons.  In his eyes, the man’s position is nothing—­the quality of his life, everything.

A gentleman in form, according to the rules of good breeding, is one who treats everybody with kindness; who thinks of others’ needs, pleasures and conveniences; and subordinates his own needs, pleasures and conveniences to theirs.  He is mild, gentle, kind and courteous to all.  A gentleman in feeling does all this from a principle of good-will; the Christian from a law of spiritual life.  Now, a man may be a gentleman, in the common acceptation of the term, and yet not be a Christian; but we are very sure, that he cannot wave the gentleman and be a Christian.

You look at us more soberly.  The truth of our words is taking hold of conviction.  Shall we go on?

Do you not, in all public places, study your own comfort and convenience?  You do not clearly understand the question!  We’ll make the matter plainer then: 

Last evening you were at Concert Hall, with your wife and daughter.  You went early, and secured good seats.  Not three seats, simply, according to the needs of your party; but nearly five seats, for extra comfort.  You managed it on the expansive principle.  Well, the house was crowded.  Compression and condensation went on all around you; but your party held its expanded position.  A white-haired old man stood at the head of your seat, and looked down at the spaces between yourself, your wife and daughter; and though you knew it, you kept your eyes another way until he passed on.  You were not going to be incommoded for any one.  Then an old lady lingered there for a moment, and looked wistfully along the seat.  Your daughter whispered, “Father, we can make room for her.”  And you answered:  “Let her find another seat; I don’t wish to be crowded.”  Thus repressing good impulses in your child, and teaching her to be selfish and unlady-like.  The evening’s entertainment began, and you sat quite at ease, for an hour and a half, while many were standing in the aisles.  Sir, there was not even the gentleman in form here; much less the gentleman from naturally kind feelings.  As to Christian principle, we will not take that into account.  Do you remember what you said as you moved through the aisles to the door?

“No.”

A friend remarked that he had been obliged to stand all the evening, and you replied: 

“We had it comfortable enough.  I always manage that, in public places.”

He didn’t understand all you meant; but, there is One who did.