THE MINISTRY OF CONVERSATION.
By Rev. J. F. B. Tinling
BY REV. J. F. B. TINLING. DISPARITY of opportunity is not so great as it seems, and those who chafe at limitations fail to see that the best kind of influence is possible to all. Consecrated speech is constant ministry, and it tends directly to the best results in the storing of minds, and the forming of character. Here at least the women of civilized countries enjoy equality of opportunity with men, and the wide and wise use of this will surely bring about the recognition of all other rights. The conversation even of well-meaning people is largely lacking both in care and in conscience. It is so easy to speak somehow that we are apt to form the habit of speaking anyhow, and of separating ill-formed and colorless observations by silences suggestive of vacuity. Matter or motive may be wanting in such cases, as usually in “smart” society, where money's worth is the only recognized utility. On the other hand, matter and motive may both be satisfactorily present, but restrained by conventional habit or constitutional timidity. The highest possibility of conversation is that of the winning of individuals for God. Testimony to Christ, explanation, application, and persuasion mean far more between two souls, of whom one is in the enjoyment of salvation, than they ordinarily do between the able and faithful preacher and his congregation. Here love seems to be almost the sum of gifts, for, rich in it and in nothing besides, humble friends of Jesus have astonished the church by their phenomenal success; yet that success may be shared by any who will fulfil the conditions of consecration and compassion, with faith that claims the co-operation of God.