On all sides the lives of
others touch ours, and we cannot do just as we please, thinking only of
ourselves, and our own comfort and good, unless we choose to be false
to all the instincts of humanity, and all the requirements of the law
of Christian love. We must think continually of other people.
We may not seek our own pleasure in any way without asking whether it
will harm or mar the comfort of some other one. For example, we must
think of other people's convenience in the exercise of our own liberty
and in the indulgence of our own tastes and desires. It may be
pleasant for us to lie late in bed in the morning, and we may be
inclined to regard the habit as only a little amiable self-indulgence.
But there is a more serious side to the practice. It breaks the
harmonious flow of the household life. It causes confusion in the
family plans for the day. It makes extra work for faithful
housekeepers or servants. It sorely tries the patience of love.
The other day an important committee of fifteen was kept waiting for
ten minutes for one tardy member, whose presence was necessary before
anything could be done. At last he came sauntering in without even an
apology for having caused fourteen busy men a loss of time that to them
was very valuable, besides having put a sore strain on their patience
and good nature. We have no right to forget or disregard the
convenience of others.
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