Pure Language by Pearl D. Bascom

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1907

Pure Language

By Pearl D. Bascom

As teachers, one of our greatest works should be that of assisting our pupils to acquire a pure language. The habit of using pure or impure language is formed in early childhood. New words are added to the child's vocabulary as he hears them spoken. The first few years of his life he is but an echo. Then how careful parents should be to choose for their children's associates only those who use language that they are willing to hear repeated.

Let us notice some of the negative rules of the Bible, that are almost universally broken, which the child needs to be taught as he comes in contact with others.

1. Swear not at all; neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by your head, nor by any other thing. Matt. 5:34-36; James 5:12. This forbids using “by” with various epithets to affirm a statement, also such expressions as, “Sure as I live,” “Sure as I have a head,” or calling on heaven to witness, or hoping God will strike dead if the thing affirmed be not true. See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 201.

2. For every idle (meaningless) word, men shall give an account. Matt. 12:36. This includes not only light and trifling talk, but all slang phrases. These add no force to conversation, but are a result of habits unconsciously formed, and mark the user as unrefined and unchristian.

3. Lie not to one another. Col. 3:9. This is perhaps the first rule the child breaks consciously,—often the result of the severity of parent or teacher. He must be taught carefully and prayerfully the terribleness of this sin, that honesty and truthfulness may be woven together into the character. “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” Ps. 101:7. “The remnant of Israel shall not . . . speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Zeph. 3:13. And of the one hundred forty-four thousand it is said, “In their mouth was found no guile.”

4. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Eph. 4:29. This includes all that is commonly called impure. “All uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.” Eph. 5:4. “No . . . impure suggestion will escape the lips of him who is following Christ.”—“Christ's Object Lessons,” page 337.

5. “Foolish talking,” let it not once be named among you. Eph. 5:4. In spite of this command, how prevalent the sin! “Girls and boys get together, and chat, and laugh, and joke, and drive Christ out of their hearts, and angels from their presence, by their foolish nonsense. . . . Small talk about this young man or that girl, withers noble, devotional thoughts and feelings, and drives good and holy desires from the heart.”—“Testimonies,” Vol. I, page 392. There is a great work to be done to prevent talk which brings results so dire. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it away.

6. Last, but not least, I would mention criticism, or backbiting. “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault,” says Christ. We are not commanded to tell it to another. Again, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1. It is the spirit of self-righteousness that leads to criticism, and the one who possesses this spirit can never dwell with God. “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that backbiteth not with his tongue, . . . nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” Ps. 15:3. Well would it be if our youth would make this rule of George Washington's their own: “If you can not speak well of a person, do not speak at all.”

Finally, from the heart of every one who would perfect his language must daily ascend David's prayer: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight. O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

PEARL D. BASCOM.