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.”
| 316 pages, cloth. | 40 cts. |
| Beautiful presentation edition. | 75 cts. |
| Address the Publishers of “Good Form.” | |