Our Words Kept by Dr. W. P. Mackay

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 20, 1879

Our Words Kept.

By Dr. W. P. Mackay

WHEN in New York, two months ago, one of the most remarkable things we saw was the phonograph, invented by a clever young mechanician called Edison.

It is an instrument into which, when one speaks, his voice striking against a mica disc, sets it in motion. This presses a steel point against a quickly-revolving cylinder covered with tinfoil, which receives the impress of the point, which is an exact representation of the vibrations produced by the voice retaining its strength, tone, and character. As long as this tinfoil retains these impressions, the voice may be heard exactly as it spoke upon the circle of mica. We were told that it could be heard 200 times, and if preserved, could be heard a thousand or ten thousand years after this.

We spoke into it, and it was something ghost-like to hear one's own voice re-produced exactly as it spoke. Being rather hoarse by continued preaching, the tones were rather rough and unmusical, but the phonograph neither flattered nor changed. Out came the same rough, unmusical words as had entered.

A most solemn meaning was given to us there and then of many passages in scripture! Man's ingenuity has got so far. But what of man's God, the Judge of all the earth? Does he not say something about every idle word coming into judgment? When the books are opened, and man sees his own actions photographed, and hears his own voice condemning him, will he not be speechless? May the Lord set a guard on our lips! I have in my possession that piece of tinfoil with which even man could make me hear my own voice back from after millenniums had passed over me. And think of the tinfoil of a man's life covered over with his oaths, his lies, his licentious talk, his drunken songs, his idle words. A man condemned by his own voice! A man hearing himself at the Great White Throne, cursing his own soul, or blaspheming God.

Reader, our only hope is in the blood of the Lamb. That can wipe out all our sins. As sure as the throne of judgment shall be set, so surely will God judge mankind. Praise his name that by faith we can now hear, and pass from death unto life, and cross the judgment line.

Christians, shall this year not record for us words of grace and faithfulness? May we speak nothing that we would be ashamed to hear at Christ's judgment seat. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God!—Dr. W. P. Mackay, in the British Evangelist.