Section V.
The Government of the Tongue.
Here is a subject upon which there is much to be said, for we are told in Holy Scripture that "death and life are in the power of the tongue."[1] "From this we can understand that the happiness or misery of every man depends upon the use he makes of this organ. St. James asserts this truth no less strongly when he says: "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body. We put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm whithersoever the force of the governor willeth. So the tongue also is, indeed, a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire what a great wood it kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity."[2] To govern this great instrument for good we must bear in mind, when we speak, four things of what we speak, how we speak, the time we speak, and the object for which we speak.
In regard to the first point, what we speak, remember the counsel of the Apostle: "Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers. All uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be so much
