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The Voice in Speech and Song
musical cadence which will charm the hearers.—
Testimonies for the
Church 6:380
.
A Great Power—Let those who labor in word and doctrine strive
to perfect themselves in the use of language. The voice is a great
power, and yet many have not trained their voices in such a way that
they may be used to their highest capacity.—
The Review and Herald,
March 5, 1895
.
Clear Understanding for Everyone—He who has bestowed
upon us all the gifts that enable us to be workers together with God,
expects His servants to cultivate their voices so that they can speak and
sing in a way that all can understand.—
Testimonies for the Church
9:144
.
Imperfect Utterance, a Dishonor to God—Let all make the most
of the talent of speech. God calls for a higher, more perfect ministry.
He is dishonored by the imperfect utterance of the one who by painstak-
ing effort could become an acceptable mouthpiece for Him. The truth
is too often marred by the channel through which it passes.
The Lord calls upon all who are connected with His service to
give attention to the cultivation of the voice, that they may utter in
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an acceptable manner the great and solemn truths He has entrusted
to them. Let none mar the truth by defective utterance. Let not those
who have neglected to cultivate the talent of speech suppose that they
are qualified to minister, for they have yet to obtain the power to
communicate.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:382, 383
.
Defective Voices of Ministers—Ministers of the gospel should
know how to speak with power and expression, making the words of
eternal life so expressive and impressive that the hearers cannot but
feel their weight. I am pained as I hear the defective voices of many
of our ministers. Such ministers rob God of the glory He might have
if they had trained themselves to speak the word with power.
No man should regard himself as qualified to enter the ministry
until by persevering effort he has overcome every defect in his utter-
ance. If he attempts to speak to the people without knowing how to use
the talent of speech, half his influence is lost, for he has little power
to hold the attention of a congregation.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:381
.
Abuse of the Gift of Speech—The gift of speech has been greatly
abused and widely perverted from its intended purpose; but let those