The Shaker's Guide to Good Manners by Flo Morse

Author:Flo Morse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Countryman Press

Table Monitor.

Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing he lost.

CHRIST.

1. Here then is the pattern which Jesus has set;

And his good example we cannot forget:

With thanks for his blessings his word we’ll obey;

But on this occasion we’ve somewhat to say.

2. We wish to speak plainly and use no deceit;

We like to see fragments left wholesome and neat.

To customs and fashions we make no pretense;

Yet think we can tell what belongs to good sense.

3. What we deem good order, we’re willing to state;

Eat hearty and decent, and clear out our plate:

Be thankful to Heaven for what we receive,

And not make a mixture or compound to leave.

4. We find of those bounties which Heaven does give,

That some live to eat, and, that some eat to live,—

That some think of nothing but pleasing the taste,

And care very little how much they do waste.

5. Though Heaven has bless’d us with plenty of food:

Bread, butter and honey and all that is good;

We lothe to see mixtures where gentle folks dine,

Which scarcely look fit for the poultry or swine.

6. We often find left on the same China dish,

Meat, applesauce, pickle, brown bread and mine’d fish,

Another’s replenish’d with butter and cheese,

With pie, cake and toast, perhaps, added to these.

7. Now if any virtue in this can be shown,

By peasant, by lawyer or king on the throne,

We freely will forfeit whatever we’ve said,

And call it a virtue to waste, meat and bread.

8. Let none be offended at what we here say;

We candidly ask you, is that the best way?

If not, lay such customs and fashions aside,

And take this monitor henceforth for your guide.

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