Right Voice Culture No Idle Tale—The human agent must take himself in hand. God has given him physical and spiritual powers, and these need to be constantly cultivated and improved. In a great measure, physical weariness may be avoided by speaking slowly, calmly, unexcitedly.
In speaking, many have made a constant tax upon their
vocal organs. The lungs have been injured, and premature
death has ended their work. Nature will not always endure the
abuse placed upon her laws. They are ignored by many, but
eventually she will make her protest, and punish the transgressor.
If these workers would but learn that God does not
require this overtaxation, and that in overstraining the delicate
vital organs and shortening the period of their usefulness,
they are dishonoring Him, they would not cultivate habits
which are injurious.
The excuse is made, “It is my habit; it is my way, and I
cannot overcome it.” Will my brethren take heed how they
use the organs of speech in the ministration of the Word?
They are to follow God’s way, and not their own will. Christ
has given them no such example in His manner of teaching.
His followers are to make strenuous efforts to overcome their
habits of long, loud speaking. This greatly injures the melody
of the human voice.
God means that those who minister in word and doctrine
shall be educators in the correct manner of teaching.
They must stand before the people as God’s representatives,
showing that they appreciate the precious gifts given them
of God. They are to use, but not abuse, their organs. They
are not to make the blind, foolish excuse, “This is my habit; I cannot overcome these defects.” They will not continue to
abuse the powers given them of God for the highest cultivation,
and by their imperfect habits, detract from the good
they might do. The Lord will help all who will determine to
overcome these wrong traits when presenting His message
to the world.
This matter has been treated too much like an idle tale.
It is a most solemn consideration, and should deepen the
sense of responsibility upon every man who is a mouthpiece
for God, holding forth the word of life to the people. The ministers
of God should study to show themselves approved of
God in the presentation of sacred truth, workmen that need
not to be ashamed.
The truth spoken, whether spoken in a manner to please
or displease, will judge the hearer in the great day of final
reckoning. It is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.
Under any circumstances the speaker will be criticized by
those who turn their ears away from the truth, but every effort
should be made to reach the people. The minister is the
teacher of sacred, solemn truth, and he should seek for perfection
in character, in address, giving as little cause as possible
for criticism. Man is honored in being a laborer together
with God, and he must work in Christ’s lines, receiving the
truth in its purity from the Word of God, and presenting it in a
manner that will commend it to the hearer.
This article is excerpted from the book The Voice in Speech and
Song, pp. 201, 202 by Ellen G. White.