Chapter 45—Speed and Tone
Correction of Rapid Speech—Rapidity of speech can and should
be corrected. The teacher must learn daily in the school of Christ,
that he may speak in such a way as to make the best and most lasting
impression upon his hearers. The appointed guardian of truth, he must
conscientiously guard the sacred treasures. He is not to gather only
a limited number of surface truths, but is to purchase the field, that
he may possess the treasure it contains. He is to seek to improve in
methods of labor, and make the very best use of the organs of speech.
If the words of truth are of sufficient importance to be spoken before
an audience, they are of sufficient importance to be spoken distinctly.
The guidance of the Spirit never leads to indistinctness of speech. The
Spirit takes the things of God and presents them through the human
instrument to the people. Then let them come from our lips in the most
perfect manner possible.—
The Southern Work, October 27, 1903
.
Errors of Volume and Speed—The Lord designs that every min-
ister shall reach perfection in his work, overcoming everything in
voice, in attitude, in manner of address, which would lessen his influ-
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ence. This it is his duty to do. “Be ye therefore perfect,” Christ says,
“even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” [
Matthew 5:48
].
It is natural for us to expect more from the ministration of the man
whose manner of address and tone of voice is attractive than from him
whose ways do not please. Two men may handle the same Scriptures
and bear a full gospel testimony; one, because he has been careful
to overcome his defective pronunciation, because he has learned to
control his voice, not allowing it to swell to a high key, may be a most
successful worker; the other may have a knowledge of the Word, yet
he leaves an impression upon his audience that is not agreeable. He
appears excited, and all who hear him wish that he would calm down
and talk earnestly, but calmly and unexcitedly.
By talking in a high key, the speaker detracts considerably from
his usefulness. There are others who talk so low that their words can
scarcely be heard. Another laborer will speak hurriedly, rushing his
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