Students and Speech
29
can improve the tones of the voice. Be determined to make yourself,
through the grace of God, as perfect as possible. If you are correct in
speech and action, those who associate with you will be blessed by the
association. Those who are hasty and impetuous in speech say a great
many things they will not wish to meet in the judgment.
Do not let a word fall from your lips that will stir up strife in another
heart. God desires your words to be of such a character that they will
bring sunshine instead of gloom, harmony instead of animosity.—
Manuscript 65, 1901
.
Ability to Speak Plainly—Unless students who are preparing for
work in the cause of God are trained to speak in a clear, straightforward
manner, they will be shorn of half their influence for good. Whatever
his calling is to be, the student should learn to control the voice.
The ability to speak plainly and distinctly, in full, round tones, is
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invaluable in any line of work, and it is indispensable to those who
desire to become ministers, evangelists, Bible workers, or canvassers.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 217
.
Watchfulness of Manner, Tone, and Language—The workman
for God should make earnest efforts to become a representative of
Christ, discarding all uncomely gestures and uncouth speech. He
should endeavor to use correct language. There is a large class who
are careless in the way they speak, yet by careful, painstaking attention
these may become representatives of the truth. Every day they should
make advancement. They should not detract from their usefulness
and influence by cherishing defects of manner, tone, or language.
Common, cheap expressions should be replaced by sound, pure words.
By constant watchfulness and earnest discipline the Christian youth
may keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.
We should be careful not to give an incorrect pronunciation of our
words. There are men among us who in theory know better than to
use incorrect language, yet who in practice make frequent mistakes.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 238, 239
.
Speaking With Respect to All—The talent of speech is a very
precious talent, and should in no case be perverted. The tongue is
an unruly member, but it should not be so. That member which is
improperly used in profane speech should be converted to utter praise
to God. If all the students would make decided efforts to change
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their mode of thinking, of speaking, and of acting, in the family circle