| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 17 |
Page 6 |
Another covering which obscures the light in too many Christians is ungentleness. Perhaps we do not realize how much of life’s influence depends on manners. There are those who are true Christians – no one doubts their sincerity. They are honest, loyal to truth, liberal in giving, useful men. Yet in their manners they are so ungentle that they mar, ofttimes almost destroy, their influence for good.
We need to study the art of living as to its manner. By the way one says Good-morning; one leaves either a pleasing and inspiring impression, or casts a chilling shadow over a sensitive life. We need to train ourselves to thoughtfulness, kindliness, sweet Christian courtesy, – not effusiveness, not exaggeration of appreciation, for these are marks which betoken a measure of insincerity and weakness, and are almost worse than rudeness; but to sincere affectionateness in our bearing toward all. We should be courteous to every one, even to the beggar at our gate; to the lowliest person we meet.
“Hush, I pray you.
What if this friend should happen to be – God?”
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