Power of Simple Language.
There is a striking disposition evinced at the present day on the part of many young writers and public speakers, to indulge in the use of high sounding language, and difficult philosophical terms. The temptation to this is very strong. The taste of the age seems to call for it; and it is, besides, the impression of many that it is necessary to give force to ideas, as well as to indicate learning and scholarship. All such tastes and notions, however, are fundamentally erroneous. The more simple and lucid the language which is used to express a thought, the greater is the force of the thought itself. Yea, such language in itself often carries with it a power which is truly astonishing to one who has never especially turned his thoughts in this direction. The truth of this statement is very strikingly illustrated by the S. S. Journal. To one whose attention has not been drawn especially to the subject, the Journal says, It will be surprising to call to mind how many of the most sublime and comprehensive passages in English consist wholly or chiefly of monosyllables. Of the sixty words composing the Lord's prayer, forty-eight are of one syllable. Of the seventeen words composing the Golden Rule, fifteen are of one syllable. The most impressive idea of the creative power of Jehovah is expressed entirely in monosyllables:—"And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." One of the most encouraging promsies [sic] of Scripture is expressed in fifteen words, all but one of which are monosyllables: "I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me." Among human compositions, several remarkable instances of the same character occur. Few sentences in poetry or prose, whatever their length, contain so much doctrinal instruction, afford so much precious consolation, or inspire so much exulting hope, as the following, in which all the words but one are monosyllables: "Jesus, my God, I know his name,
His name is all my trust:
Nor will he put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost." To these we might add many other illustrations. All who have enjoyed the advantages of a religious education, can well remember the prayers and hymns which they were taught in their earliest years, and must ever bear testimony to their uncommon force, for which they are much indebted to the simple language in which they are expressed. This subject is well deserving the earnest attention of writers and public speakers. If properly inquired into, it might lead to results which may be of great service to ourselves as well as to others.