THE WORDS WE SPEAK

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 12, 1860

THE WORDS WE SPEAK.

Our words are imperishable. Like winged messengers they go forth, but never to be recalled—never to die. They have a mighty power for good or evil through all time; and before the great white throne they will be swift witnesses for or against us.

Within the massive walls of a gloomy building, a nobleman was undergoing inquisition as to certain acts of his previous life. He had been told that nothing he might say should be divulged or recorded, and he spoke freely. But soon behind the arras, his ear caught the sharp clicking sound of a pen which recorded every word he uttered; and by those words he was to be judged. Do we remember that there is an ear that catches every word we utter, no matter how lightly, how scoffingly, how secretly spoken? And by these words shall we one day be acquitted or condemned.

The words we speak have a mighty power; and there are words angels might covet to utter. There are words of comfort to the afflicted. There are sad hearts that need comfort everywhere; and there are words of blame and cold indifference, or feigned sympathy, that fall like lead upon the stricken spirit; and there are blessed heart-words of cheer which bear up the soul and enable it to look out from the dark night of its troubles and discern the silver lining of the gloomy cloud.

There are words of counsel to the young, to the tempted, the erring. Speak them earnestly, affectionately, and though the waves of circumstance may soon waft them away from your observation, yet such is God's husbandry, that if uttered in faith and with prayer, he will take care that on an earthly or heavenly shore the reaper shall rejoice that he was a sower.

There are kind words; how little they cost, how priceless they are! Harsh words beget harshness; and fretful words, like a certain little insect, sting us into a feverish impatience. But who can resist the charm of kind loving words? The heart expands beneath them as to the sunshine, and they make us happier and better.

It was said of the gifted Mrs. Fry, that she had a wise, kind word for all, and those kind words unlocked stony hearts as well as prison doors, and made her a blessed visitant to the criminal and the outcast.

Then there are cheerful words and why should we dole them out with such miserly care? They ought to form the atmosphere of our homes, and to be habitual in all our social intercourse. We have so many weaknesses, so many crosses, so much that is down-hill in life that the habit of thinking and speaking cheerfully is invaluable.

But there are other words against which we should pray, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." There are words of falsehood and deceit. They lurk in our expressions of civility, our professions of friendship, our transactions of business. How early do children, even, begin to weave a web of deceit,

and how carefully should those who train them watch against this sin, and by example and precept, teach them always and everywhere to speak the truth.

There are slanderous words—how mischievous they are! There are the words of the tale-bearers that breed suspicions and jealousies in neighborhoods, and between families. There are envious words and flattering words and faltering words which are no better. Then there is the long list of idle words, or by-words as they are called.

How many there are who shudder at an oath, who yet break the spirit of the third commandment, by constantly interlarding their conversation by expletives!

But there is another class of words to which we would gladly refer—they are the words of eternal life. Cornelius sent for Peter that he might speak words to him. What blessed words those were! Will they not be remembered with joy by both speaker and hearer throughout all eternity? As we pass along through the world, God will often let us speak a word for him; and if we seek his aid he will make it a word of power and comfort, a word in season to him that is weary.

"Speak gently; 'tis a little thing, Dropped in the heart's deep well; The good, the joy, which it may bring, Eternally shall tell."—Bullard.