CONSIDERATION FOR EACH OTHER, 53 



let them make the case their own, and try to imagine how they would 

 like to hear their own favourite friend abused. 



Long arguments are very unwise, and almost always lead to harsh, un- 

 pleasant feeling. If there is a difference of religion in the family, it 

 should never be spoken of at table. Many a youthful convert to some 

 other creed has been driven from home by the thoughtlessness and un- 

 kind remarks of his family. The subject of religion should be rarely or 

 never introduced between more than two talkers. The expressions of 

 even earnest believers are necessarily so vague that the conversation can 

 rarely do any good ; and it is far wiser for the youth to go alone to the 

 clergyman whom he selects, or to talk to his father, mother, or chosen 

 friend on this most important of all subjects. Still better is it to take 

 prayerful counsel of his own heart. Never make it dinner- table talk ; for 

 it either becomes flippant and irreverent, or it leads to violent quarrels 

 and sometimes to deadly hatreds. 



A difference of political sentiment also is dangerous to the amenities of 

 home. Brothers had better not indulge in much discussion in the family 

 circle. They can not feel as coolly to each other as ordinary disputants 

 that is impossible. They can only differ, and often quarrel. The few who, 

 in the familiarity of home, can coolly argue are indeed very few. 



The wise and learned Phillips Brooks says truly, " Familiarity does not 



breed contempt, except of contemptible things or contemptible people." 



This is very true. But we must remember that familiarity does take o(F 



the outer cuticle, and leave us very defenceless. We are not the same 



rig-handed, steel-visaged personages to our own family that we are to 



outer world. They know us too well, and we know them too well. 



\Ve are fighting without gloves with our own people. The bitterness and 



hurt of a family quarrel is a proverb. 



Never interrupt each other. Let each speaker have his five minutes, 

 and say out his say. There are some people so notoriously ill-bivd in this 

 way that they an- nuisances in their own houses. They talk on on on, 

 and notice t h of others not a jot. Others interrupt when one has 

 ;i<l have no sort of regard for the fact that even the 

 lady < if tin- house h;i- 1 n t rving to make a remark for M me time. 1 lesi- 



tating, slow talkers are very apt to ! rule 1 out by tlumt ones, o 



a deliberate intention of spoilin 'V or an epigram by 



in M another; ami a still more reprehensible class 



up tin- M to a mot or an anecdote which t h to tell. 



It is a grea ' Lrood-l.rvcdini: t<> interrupt a penpO who is mak- 



- a remark -.1 one, OF to speal, jiiite fin- 



