CH. IV. MANNER OF SHOWING RESPECT-SALUTATIONS.

WHEN people meet, it is usual to say something kind or respectful to each other: this is called saluting. Different nations have different methods of salutation. The eastern nations were, and still are very exact in observing all the rules of politeness. We see a beautiful instance of this in Abraham's conduct to the children of Heth, Gen. xxiii. David saluted his brethren when he drew near to them, 1 Sam. xvii. 22. We should never be rude, even to relatives. Many other texts in the Bible show us, that when people met each other they used kind salutations. Their inquiries respecting each other's welfare were numerous and particular; and at parting they concluded with many wishes of happiness to each other. When they met, they generally said, "The Lord be with thee:" "The Lord bless thee;" and "Blessed be thou of the Lord;" or "Peace (which they considered as including every good wish) be with thee;" Ruth ii. 4; Judg. xix. 20; 1 Sam. xxv. 6; 2 Sam. xx. 9; Psa. cxxix. 8.

In the latter times of the Jewish nation, much time was spent in these forms and ceremonies, as is still very usual in eastern nations, particularly in China, where there is a great deal more ceremony than among any other people,

but very little sincerity. If a traveller, in the east, meets any person on the road, he loses much time in these salutations, while his thoughts are continually interrupted from more important subjects. Christ told his disciples, when he sent them out to travel, "Salute no man by the way," Luke x. 4; as if he had said, "Do not waste your time in long conversations and useless ceremonies with the people you may meet, but remember the important business upon which you are employed." That it was to guard against the foolish excess to which these customs were carried, and not to forbid them to show proper respect and civility, is plain from Matt. x. 12. When they came into a house, they were to salute it, or to say, "Peace be to this house," Luke x. 5. The order to salute no one on the way, would impress them with the importance of attending fully to the duties they were sent to perform. This also explains Elisha's order to Gehazi, 2 Kings iv. 29. Thus the apostle Peter wrote in his epistles, "Be courteous," 1 Peter iii. 8. The apostle Paul evidently was so, and as I have heard it said, there can be no doubt but that he was truly a Christian gentleman," though sometimes he earned his bread with his own labour: for these characters are by no means inconsistent with each other, Acts xviii, 3; 2 Thess. iii. 8.

In the last discourse of our Lord with his disciples, he alludes, very beautifully, to the empty way in which the people of the world express their good wishes to one another, and shows how much more sincere are his earnest

desires for your welfare. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you," John xiv. 27. Let us, then, pray for that peace which the world cannot give. Worldly pleasures will soon tire. and pass away; but if we really love Christ, then God the Holy Spirit will impart to us peace of mind, for "great peace have they that love the Lord ;" and during all the trials, afflictions, or troubles we may meet with, when the toys or vanities of this world cannot delight, we shall have a true sense of peace and comfort within.

My reader, did you ever see a brother, or a sister, or a companion very ill, perhaps dying? They were not able

to play, or enjoy the pleasures they once were fond of; but if they loved Christ, how happy were they then to think of the things they had learned respecting Him and His salvation! Seek earnestly for that peace which the Saviour has made through the blood of his cross, see Col. i. 20; which even little children are invited to come to him to obtain. Great shall be the peace of such children, see Isa. liv. 13. My young readers, love Christ; and, when with your companions, also remember to "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord," Heb. xii. 14. My aged readers, remember that you especially have no time to lose.

But to return to the eastern methods of saluting. They bowed very low, as Jacob did, Gen. xxxiii. 3, and his sons,

xlii. 6, which shows what is meant by stooping with the face to the earth, and bowing. David did so, 1 Sam. xxiv. 8.

When the people, in former times, came to kings or princes, they fell down before them: Cornelius did so when Peter came to him, Acts x. 25, and Esther, before Ahasuerus, viii. 3. These customs now appear to us very strange; but remember, there is One before whom we are

to cast ourselves, like the woman of Canaan, Matt. xv. 25, and the woman who touched the hem of Christ's garment, Luke viii. 47, praying, "Lord help us."

This picture shows the manner of bowing in the east.

There are some children who behave rudely, and do not show proper respect, either in their words or their manners, to their parents or other persons; but such children are ignorant and untaught. If I have seen a child respectful and well behaved, I have always found that he went to school, or was well taught at home. My readers will often have seen with regret, that persons who were very well behaved when young, have forgotten their good manners when grown up. Some time ago, at a village many miles from London, I observed that most of the little boys and girls made bows or courtesies, and answered in a respectful manner when spoken to; but the great boys and girls were very ill-behaved. I spoke three times to one lad, about seventeen, before he answered, and then it was in a very rude manner. Some kind ladies had set up a Sunday school two or three years before; most of the younger children went to it, but the elder ones thought themselves too old to go: this explained the difference.

But do not only think about what other people's opinion of your outward behaviour may be; remember that there is One who knoweth your hearts; go to Him in prayer, worship Him, and pray to Him to give you new hearts, which will love him and hate evil ways.