Editorial August 26, 1922 Issue

"New tongues"

Albert F. Gilmore

Few chapters of the New Testament have been more carefully examined by Biblical scholars than the sixteenth chapter of Mark, which relates how Christ Jesus commanded his followers, among other duties, to carry far afield, even into all the world, the gospel of good tidings he had taught and so wonderfully exemplified. In its brief closing verses he even explicitly foretold the results of the operation of his teachings when applied to human affairs. Of the signs which he enumerated as following "them that believe," one, "they shall speak with new tongues," has apparently received less attention than the others. Yet these words are significant and, examined in the light of Christian Science, become of special interest; for Mrs. Eddy has made their meaning so plain that all the world, regardless of race or language, of occupation, tradition, or creed, may receive, in the Christ-message of healing, the new tongue which Jesus there foretold.

In the second chapter of Acts an incident is related that directly touches upon the subject of the "new tongues." On the day of Pentecost the disciples, we are told, being of one mind and "in one place," received the Holy Ghost, and began to speak "with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance;" and it seems small wonder that the multitude, little versed, it is likely, in the language of Spirit, should have marveled. And all the more were they mystified and amazed because, although of many different races and languages, yet each heard in his own tongue, that "wherein we were born," messages concerning the wonderful works of God. Moreover, it should occasion even less wonderment that some of these bystanders, hearing the message of Truth and yet not understanding it, should say, "What meaneth this?" others, "These men are full of new wine."

Moreover, this experience on the day of Pentecost well illustrates the universality of Truth. The disciples, filled with the Holy Ghost, lifted up by the clear spiritual revelations which came to them through the marvelous experience of the crucifixion and resurrection of their Lord and Master, were enabled to ascend the mount of vision, from which spiritual height they not only received but voiced the heavenly evangel in the language of Spirit. Those of the bystanders, the multitude who were spiritually prepared, also received the message. How else could the truth in God's language, the universal tongue, reach each one than in his own tongue?

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