A hopeful word; how potent is its holy exorcism! It has drawn down a sudden stream of sunshine into souls that were dungeons of darkness, and by that single heavenly ray, has put to flight the destroying demons of despair.
But oh! a bitter word, impulsively spoken, unremembered an hour after, has it not sunk deep into the hearer's mind, and turned the sweet waters of memory to Marah?
Terrible is the power of a passing word of anger. It has divided hearts that had been "twin as 'twere, in love inseparable;" its fiery breath has forged a flaming sword to guard the Gate of Friendship, that they who walked in the garden of old might never enter more.
Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word."
A word of idle slander, of thoughtless disparagement, has irretrievably blasted a spotless name, and defiled the pure vesture of Innocence.
A contemptuous word, a word of unsympathizing rebuke, carelessly uttered, has hardened a fallen spirit, and confirmed it in obstinate evil doing. Ever fresh in our remembrance, ever heeded and revered, be the solemn admonition:
Every human heart must bear!
