A gentleman of the highest standing for wealth, intelligence, and honour, obeys his rulers in all points where they have a right to direct, whether the laws are good or bad, whether the rulers are wise or foolish. So long as the people, who have the power, make such laws and appoint such rulers, he submits and obeys until he and others can get the laws and rulers changed. And every intelligent man feels that he is honoured in paying this respect to laws and rulers.
It should be just so in the family state. Whether the rulers of a family are wise or foolish, whether they make good or bad rules about their work, domestics, as long as they agree to serve them, should submit to their directions. If they do not like the rulers, or the laws of the family, still they honour themselves
in obeying, until they can have a chance to change overseers and rules.
And all those directions, which were given to persons forced to service against their own wishes, are much more binding on those, who of their own accord put themselves under the direction of the rulers of a family. “Obey them that have the rule over you” is the law of God, given to domestics in the family state, as much as it is to subjects in the political state. And the only way to be freed from this obligation is, to give up your place and relation as a domestic in a family.
There is another duty owed to those who have rule over us, that in this country is not properly realized by any, except it may be by the most sensible and intelligent part of the community. It is the duty of treating all who are our superiors either in age, character, or station with respect. The Bible requires us to “honour our father and mother,” whether they are good or bad, wise or foolish. It requires us to “render honour to whom honour is due.” It requires us ever to “be courteous” whatever
may be the situation of those we have to deal with.
Now the rulers and overseers of a family are placed in a situation where they are entitled to respectful treatment from all in their household, whatever may be their own character. It is of the utmost importance that children be trained to treat their parents, and all who have rule over them, or who are in any way their superiors, with respect, and this is the chief reason why it is so important for domestics to do the same, so as to set a proper example to children. And all well educated and intelligent persons so well understand the importance of rendering respectful language and manners to all who are their superiors, either in age, relationship, or station, that they always feel themselves honoured by doing it.
See that well bred gentleman! He is the governor of the state, the most learned man at the bar, the most wealthy man in the place, one whom every one honours for his talents and virtues. He is also the head and master of his own family, in which resides his father, broken down in mind by the decay of age. The aged
father enters the room, and the learned and wise politician, the master of the house and the governor of the state, rises with respect, speaks to him with the greatest reverence, gives him the first place of honour and comfort, and ever treats his opinions and wishes with deference and respect. This is because this old man is his superior in age and relationship, and every one admires the son for his good breeding and sense of propriety. This same governor goes into the street and meets a worthy and respectable man, who supports himself by the labour of his hands. The governor bows to him, and addresses him with a respectful air and manner. This is because the man has a character which entitles him to respect, and all admire the governor, for his good breeding in rendering this respect.
Take another case. This governor goes out of office, and a person of small talents and little worth, by popular arts, succeeds him. There is a grand military parade, and the new governor is reviewing the troops, while the late governor is an officer under him. This former governor steps out of his ranks to the