67. The Tongue
The Tongue THE PHONOGRAPH.—There is a little machine known as the phonograph which is able to catch the wave-motion of the air when any one speaks and record it, so that at any time afterwards the words of the speaker may be reproduced. Think of bottling up all your careless talk, and keeping it against you! Would you be willing?
EAGLE AND CRANE.—The heights and recesses of Mount Taurus are said to be much infested with eagles, who are never better pleased than when they pick the bones of a crane. Cranes are prone to chatter and make a noise (Isaiah 38:14) and particularly so while they are flying. The sound of their voices arouses the eagles, who spring up at the signal, and often make the talkative travelers pay dearly for their chattering. The older and more experienced cranes, sensible of their besetting weakness, and the peril to which it exposes them, take care before venturing on the wing to pick up a stone large enough to fill the cavity of their mouths, and consequently to impose silence on their tongues, and thus they escape the danger. NOT ALONE SONG.—Madame Sterling, when asked to go on the stage, replied: “I cannot; I stand by every word I utter when I sing, and I feel I must to the death. It is not alone song with me—melodious sounds; it is the lesson inculcated; hope in the future, bright joys to come, the mercy of an all-wise God. I would not sing a wicked or a frivolous word before an audience for anything on earth.”
PENDLETON AND SAUNDERS.—While Pendleton and Saunders were conversing about the persecution, in the reign of Queen Mary, Saunders showed much weakness; but Pendleton said to him: “What, man! there is much more cause for me to fear than for thee, forasmuch as I have a big and fat body; yet will I see the utmost drop of this melted away, and consumed to ashes before I will forsake Christ and His truth.” Yet, not long after, faint-hearted Saunders sealed the truth with his blood, while confident Pendleton apostatized to Rome.
STOP A WHILE.—Burridge was visited by a very talkative young lady, who engrossed all the conversation with small talk concerning herself. When she arose to retire, he said: “Madam, before you withdraw, I have one piece of advice to give you; when you go into company again, after you have talked half an hour without intermission, stop a while, and see if any other of the company has anything to say.”
THOUGHTFUL DINING.—A number of friends were dining together. To prevent the introduction of sinful or idle conversation, one of them said: “Let us discuss the question, whether we shall one and all get to Heaven.” This most unexpected motion induced all that were present to serious thoughts and to examine themselves. One thought, “If one of our number be lost I shall be the one.” So thought another, and a third, and so every one of the company. Even the waiters at the table became serious and thoughtful. It subsequently appeared that this word gave the start to the conversion of all.
SWITCHING.—A single word is often like a switch on a railroad, which, although it is a point almost too fine to be seen, yet is sufficient, when turned, to change the course of the train from one track to another, and perhaps from one road to another. Single words have often switched men off from bad courses, or off from good ones, as the case may be.