For public teachers, and especially those who are in preparation for
such work, this little book has a special message. The world will not
suffer long nor be kind to any exponent of truth who offends in platform
etiquette, or in home courtesy. Accordingly, I would urge my young
fellow laborers to eschew everything in manner which could produce
dislike or disgust in the most critical, for that most critical may be
the very soul to whom you are sent.
As brethren in council together, cultivate only those things that can be
used anywhere in an uncharitable world. Do not allow anything to become
habitual that will call attention to any part of the body or clothing.
Never finger the watch guard, coat buttons, nor the features of the
face. Unfortunate practices of this nature have nullified the effect of
many a sermon. Many a young man has made a farce of his testimony for
Christ because he stood twirling his mustache; and many a Sabbath-school
teacher has failed to hold her pupils to the truth because her hat was
filled with nodding plumes, flowers, or an elaborate tangle of ribbon.
Good form insists that any Sabbath display is vulgar, so that the woman
of genuine social position will leave the elaborate church toilet to her
servants, while she goes in the plainest of modest apparel to the house
of God.
One great misfortune to both home and church is that good form has been
considered a sort of parade dress, to be laid off with the “company”
clothes. The home folks have been compelled to tolerate anything from
each other, upon the supposition that nothing matters at home; when the
fact is that _there_ everything in dress and conversation matters more
than in any other spot on earth.
The home dress should be such as would be respectable if the wearer were
called out by some emergency, with no time to change.
Good form condemns the “Mother Hubbard,” and with good reason: Its
origin was infamous, its suggestions are such that the woman who wears
it can not command the same respect from even her own family as though
she were clothed with a modest garment.
Society can and will reject the presence of one who is rude in speech or
conduct, and in this has the advantage of the home; but the person who
practices good form in society, and by a sullen, fault-finding, or
untidy manner at home flatly contradicts every pretense of refinement,
shall surely have his reward in the covert contempt of even those who
love him; while any, however untrained in the arts of “polite society,”
who shall practice those graces that make ordinary duties fragrant and
sweet with the good manners of heaven, will be accepted anywhere by any
to whom he can be sent with a message. Any awkwardness that a man may do
will be pardoned beforehand for the sake of the beautiful spirit he is
by the grace of God.
And yet it is well to make it just as hard as possible for the world to
reject you, and just as easy as possible for it to accept your message.
All of which is written for the glory of our Lord, and to the end that
the truth may be carried to every creature.
The Abiding Spirit, by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry. “This book deals with the
presence, power, and ministry of the Holy Spirit as manifested in the
most common material things, and as needed for the performance of the
most simple duties.... It is safe to say that the larger proportion of
common religious perplexities are touched upon in this book; and the
way opened for light upon their darkness.”—_The Union Signal,
Chicago._
“The author takes high ground, and maintains her position
well.”—_Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian._
316 pages, cloth. 40 cts.
Beautiful presentation edition. 75 cts.
Address the Publishers of “Good Form.”