Thoughts, Words, and Actions.
By N. Orcutt
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” As by our words we shall be justified or condemned, how important that we put forth a mighty effort, as from our hearts and lips goes up the earnest petition to our Heavenly Father: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Did we find the putrid carcass of some animal in the fountain whence we drew our supply of water, should we be wise to attempt to remedy the evil by simply straining or filtering the water before using? We might thus somewhat improve the quality, but should we not deem the individual very unwise who should pursue such a course, when, by promptly removing the cause, he might forever be rid of the loathsome, disastrous result? So long as the reeking, filthy cause of impurity remains, the stream will be tainted, and, too, just as long as the spring whence all our words and actions flow, is not clean, so long from it will proceed unbecoming words, and unholy deeds, blasting our influence for good over others, and disastrous in their effects upon and result to ourselves. How earnestly we should strive, with the help of the Lord, to purge out the old leaven, and have our hearts filled with sweet meditations of the goodness of God, an understanding and appreciation of his claims upon us, and strong resolutions—a fixed determination—to do his will, that the stream that flows from thence may be pure, pleasing to God, and exerting a gathering influence upon our fellow-men. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and stand in his holy place. See Ps. 24. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8. South Vineland, N. J., Oct., 1873.