126
The Voice in Speech and Song
the abdominal muscles in reading and speaking will prove a remedy
for many voice and chest difficulties, and the means of prolonging
life.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 297
.
Preservation of Strength in Prayer—I saw that some of our min-
isters do not understand how to preserve their strength so as to be able
to perform the greatest amount of labor without exhaustion. Ministers
should not pray so loud and long as to exhaust their strength. It is not
necessary to weary the throat and lungs in prayer. God’s ear is ever
[197]
open to hear the heartfelt petitions of His humble servants, and He
does not require them to wear out the organs of speech in addressing
Him. It is the perfect trust, the firm reliance, the steady claiming
of the promises of God, the simple faith that He is, and that He is
a rewarder of all those who diligently seek Him, that prevails with
God.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:645
.
Influence of Right Teaching—Our institutions of learning should
be provided with every facility for instruction regarding the mechanism
of the human system. Students should be taught how to breathe, how to
read and speak so that the strain will not come on the throat and lungs,
but on the abdominal muscles. Teachers need to educate themselves
in this direction. Our students should have a thorough training, that
they may enter upon active life with an intelligent knowledge of the
habitation which God has given them. Teach them that they must be
learners as long as they live. And while you are teaching them, remem-
ber that they will teach others. Your lesson will be repeated for the
benefit of many more than sit before you day by day.—
Fundamentals
of Christian Education, 147, 148
.
Overexertion of Vocal Organs—Long and violent exercise of
the vocal organs has irritated his [Brother D’s] throat and lungs, and
injured his general health, more than his precise round of rules for
eating and resting have benefited him. One overexertion or strain of
the vocal organs may not soon be recovered from, and may cost the
life of the speaker. A calm, unhurried, yet earnest, manner of speaking,
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will have a better influence upon a congregation than to let the feelings
become excited and control the voice and manners. As far as possible
the speaker should preserve the natural tones of the voice. It is the
truth presented that affects the heart. If the speaker makes these truths
a reality, he will, with the aid of the Spirit of God, be able to impress