to divide or fork in, a very doubtful and difficult manner. Suppose
there are no persons in the house, but half a dozen females. These, we
will also suppose, are persons of real piety and true benevolence. What
does true politeness require of them, but to give the stranger, in a
gentle and affectionate manner, the necessary information?

But if every one is ready to perform the office which true politeness
would dictate--and is consequently truly polite--there will probably be
as many ways of manifesting these feelings, as there are individuals
present in the company.

One, for example, will give the stranger the best directions she can
without leaving the room; but will be in all respects exceedingly
particular. Another will go to the door, and there give the same
directions. A third will go with her into the street, and there
instruct her. A fourth will go with her to the first or second fork of
the road, and there give further directions. A fifth will send a boy
with her. A sixth will sketch the road plainly, though coarsely, with a
pencil; and mark, in a proper manner, the course she ought to pursue.
Each one will instruct her in an intelligent manner, so that there can
hardly remain the possibility of a mistake; but we see that there will
be a considerable difference in the form.

It may be said in reply to this view of politeness, that there are
genuine disciples of Christ, who, from ignorance of what they ought to
do, or from bad habits not yet subdued, will not in such a case as I
have described, render any assistance at all; and that they cannot, of
course, be truly polite. To which I have only to reply, that such a
thing can hardly happen; and if it should, the spirit of Christianity
would not lead to it--but it would be the result, rather, of a want of