AMBIGUITY. Be careful to avoid all ambiguous words; that is, words which have two or more significations, when any doubt can possibly arise as to which signification is intended. Thus, persons discussing the Sabbath question frequently say, “Had the Sabbath ever been observed, mankind would never have fallen into idolatry.” The word, ever, in this sentence is ambiguous; for this word means (1) “at any time, at any period of time,” and (2) “at all times, always, continually, forever.” If we give it the first signification, it implies that the Sabbath never has been observed; but if the second is the meaning we wish to convey, it would be better to use another word; thus, “Had the Sabbath always been observed, mankind would never have fallen into idolatry.” This signifies that the Sabbath was once observed, but that the practice was not continued. So written, there is no possibility of mistaking its meaning. This is sufficient to illustrate the principle—a principle which applies to many other words, and to different kinds of construction, which it is not necessary here to enumerate. It shows that we should carefully weigh every word we are about to pen, and consider whether it is just the word we want to use, and whether we are using it in just the right place; and we should choose such words, if appropriate ones of the kind can be found, which have no other meaning but that which we wish to convey. INFINITIVES. Remember that to is the sign of the infinitive. After the verb, try, the word, and, is very often, and very improperly, substituted for to. Thus, a brother writing respecting a tent-meeting now in progress, says, “We shall try and urge the people to obey.” Others say, “I will try and be faithful.” And how often we hear prayers conclude, “And we will try and give thee all the praise.” The use of the word, and, in such sentences destroys the infinitive which the writer or speaker intends to use, and makes the second verb a principal verb like the first. Take the sentence, “I will try and be faithful.” Here “be” is joined by the connective, and, to the verb try, and is carried back to the same subject. Expressed in full the sentence would read, “I will try and I will be faithful.” The person thus asserts two things, first, that he will try, and secondly, that he will be faithful; but in this case what he is going to try, he does not inform us. The sign of the infinitive, to, should be used in all such sentences; thus, “We shall try to urge the people to obey,” “I will try to be faithful.” “And we will try to give thee all the praise.” The infinitive then becomes the object of the principal verb, and expresses the action we intend to do.