Distinct Utterance by WILLIAM COVERT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1915

Distinct Utterance

By WILLIAM COVERT

WILLIAM COVERT

In the days of Nehemiah a very successful gathering of the people was held, and a splendid work was done, because those in charge did their work well. The scribe who reported the meeting attributed the success of the occasion to the excellency of the reading. He says, “They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Neh. 8:8. Such reading as here reported is surely entitled to favorable mention in the Bible. It is said, “All the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” It is true that the law condemned their conduct; but if the reading had not been distinct, the people would not have gathered the meaning.

The reader articulated distinctly, and spoke with sufficient force to be heard and to make his words understood. Whoever renders oral service of any kind in a public capacity owes it to those who listen to make himself understood. Let the voice be trained so that words will not be crowded together in a jumbled, indistinct way. Do not let the voice fall frequently, but keep it up so that each sentence will be full and complete.

The prophet, in giving instruction which would well apply to our lecture courses, said, “Make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” It should be so plain that a man who reads it may go on his way with no uncertainty; “he may run that readeth it.” The vocal organs were intended for improvement. Notice how the babe has to train and practice that he may learn the art of speaking; and the person who serves the public with his voice needs to train that he may do acceptable service.

Accent, quality, force, stress, emphasis, inflection, pitch, cadence, time, pronunciation, all belong in reading and speaking. These are well blended in proper vocal utterance. He that serves the people acceptably with his voice should be master of the art, for he is to operate on an instrument made by the Master of all that is true in the finest arts.