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The Voice in Speech and Song
made prominent. This line of work should be made a specialty in
every school. The students should be taught to stand straight, to
breathe deeply, and to give the proper emphasis to important words
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and sentences....
Think of these suggestions. Give them due attention, for the preser-
vation of your life demands this. The human agent is to do all in his
power to preserve his health and strength. The minister of the gospel
should give the organs of speech special care, giving the throat every
advantage, so that it shall not become irritated. He must take time to
rest. Then his vocal organs will not be so overworked that they will
become diseased beyond remedy.
I must urge you to exercise discretion. You talk hurriedly, and the
throat and lungs become wearied and irritated. Elder D was a man of
great ability. I did my best to persuade him to be careful of his health,
but he would not follow my advice. He said that he could not enjoy
freedom in speaking if he kept the rules which he knew to be essential
to the health of his vocal organs. The force of habit was so strong that
he did not change. When he was dying, he sent for my husband and
me to come and pray for him. While we were with him, he said, “Oh,
Sister White, I need not now be dying had I heeded the warnings that
you gave me.”—Lt 367, 1904.
Noise and Hurry No Evidence of God’s Presence—Some min-
isters have fallen into the error that they cannot have liberty in speaking
unless they raise their voices to a high pitch and talk loud and fast.
Such should understand that noise and loud, hurried speaking are not
evidence of the presence of the power of God. It is not the power of
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the voice that makes the lasting impression. Ministers should be Bible
students, and should thoroughly furnish themselves with the reasons
of our faith and hope, and then, with full control of the voice and
feelings, they should present these in such a manner that the people
can calmly weigh them and decide upon the evidences given. And as
ministers feel the force of the arguments which they present in the form
of solemn, testing truth, they will have zeal and earnestness according
to knowledge.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:645
.
False Inspiration—Some seem to think they must race right
straight along or else they will lose the inspiration and the people
will lose the inspiration. If that is inspiration, let them lose it, and the
sooner the better.—
Evangelism, 670
.