WORDS by Laura L. Fisk

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 4, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 40.

WORDS.

By Laura L. Fisk

BY LAURA L. FISK.

[Republished by request.]

A CHILD stands by a pool. The little one chooses a tiny pebble from the sand, and throws it into the water. Gleefully he claps his hands as he sees the little ripple which starts where the pebble fell upon the surface. "See what I did!" he exclaims. Ah, but what did he do? "I made the waves go," the child explains. Look! the ripple widens out, out, and still farther out, until it reaches the other side of the pool. All the drops in that mass of water are pushed a little closer together because of that one pebble thrown into it by a child.

It is said that every word which we speak has its influence, either for good or ill, upon some human heart. Altho we sometimes doubt it, this is a true statement. Not that our words influence all the world at once; the pebble did not touch each drop of water in the pool; no, it came in contact with but few. They in turn pushed against those nearest them; these crowded others, and so on and on.

And so we, whose heart fountains have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, whose lips have been touched with the coal from off God’s altar, can not estimate the value of

kind, good, loving words. Perhaps in a life's experience we mingle with a thousand people. To some, a cheerful word is spoken, with others a word of prayer is offered; again, a thought is dropped which turns a sinner's feet from paths of sin to ways of righteousness. It may be that the greater number of the thousand souls have been helped—helped by one godly life! And what will they do in their turn? Perhaps give the light which shines into their hearts to others.

True, the impression made upon them may not be lasting; the sinner may return to his sinning; the one may forget the prayer, and the other go back to find his sorrow. But was it of no avail to speak the words from the Christ-filled heart? It is not for us to judge. The fact that a sorrowing, almost despondent soul was turned to cheerfulness, and then, forgetting the cheer, returned to his former unhappy life, is no proof that he did not appreciate the joy which the brother brought into his life. There may come a time when he will remember how sweet joyfulness was, and he may seek after it again until he finds it—the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

But O, how sad when the words we speak into the world are from a heart wherein selfishness reigns! The unkind, cruel, cutting words, the sarcastic words, the whisperings of evil,—how they mar, and sometimes wreck, those who hear them, and none the less those who speak them. "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity."

Then how important that the Christian study carefully his influence on those about him, remembering the extent to which his words affect the world. Had you and I never lived, the world would not be just what it is to-day; for we are continually contributing something to its daily history—and that contribution tells for good or for evil.

So should we pray with David: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Then, when the purifying work is done, will our words be as they should be; for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Seattle, Wash.