Part 4

Walk quietly and soberly to the pew; run not, nor go playing.

Sit where you are directed by your parents.

Change not seats, but continue in the place where you are desired.

Talk not in church. Fix your eye upon the minister; let it not wildly wander to gaze on any person or thing.

Attend diligently to the words of the minister. Pray with him when he prays, at least in your heart; and while he is preaching, listen attentively, that you may remember. Be not hasty to run out of the church after the worship is ended, as if you were weary of being there.

Walk decently and soberly home, without haste or playfulness, thinking upon what you have been hearing.

Always remember to be punctual at church. Never, if it can possibly be avoided, disturb the services by coming in after they have commenced.

IN THE STREET.

Walk quietly and unobtrusively in the street, neither singing, whistling, or shouting.

Affront none, especially your elders, by word or deed.

Jeer not at any person, whatever.

Always give the right hand to your superiors, (by superiors, I do not mean so much in regard to birth, as age, merit, and the light in which they are regarded by the world,) when you either meet or walk with them; and mind also to give them the wall, in meeting or walking with them; for that is the upper hand, though in walking your superior should then be at your left hand.

But when three persons walk together, the middle place is the most honorable; and a son may walk at his father’s right hand, while his younger brother walks at his left.

Give your superiors place to pass before you, in any narrow place where two persons cannot pass at once.

If you go with your parents, teacher, or any superior, go not playfully through the streets.

Pay your respects to all you meet, of your acquaintance or friends.

It is impolite to stare at every unusual person or thing which you may see in the street, or to use any improper postures, either of head, hands, feet, or body.

TO YOUR PARENTS.

Children, these are the most essential of those rules of behavior, the observance of which will deliver you from the disgraceful titles of sordid and clownish, and entail upon you the honor of being called well-bred children; for there is scarcely a sadder sight, than a clownish and unmannerly child. Avoid, therefore, with the greatest diligence, so vile an ignominy.

Be humble, submissive, and obedient to those who have a just claim to your subjection, by nature and providence: such are parents, masters, or tutors, whose commands and laws have no other tendency than your truest good. Be always obsequious and respectful, never bold, insolent, or saucy, either in words or gestures.

Let your body be on every occasion, pliable, and ready to manifest, in due and becoming ceremonies, the inward reverence you bear towards those above you.

By these means, by timely and early accustoming yourselves to a sweet and spontaneous obedience in your youthful stations and relations, your minds being habituated to that which is so indispensably your duty, the task of obedience in farther relations will be performed with greater ease and pleasure; and when you arrive at manhood, there will remain in your well-managed minds no presumptuous folly, that may tempt you to be other than faithful and good citizens.

TO SUPERIORS.

Among superiors, speak not till you are spoken to, or are asked to speak.

Hold not your hand, nor anything else before your mouth when you speak. Come not very near the one you speak to.

If your superior speak to you while you sit, stand up before you give an answer.

Speak not very loud, nor too low. Answer not one who is speaking to you, till he is done.

Strive not with your superiors, in argument or discourse; but easily submit your opinion to their assertions.