Article August 29, 1925 Issue

Conversation

REGINA B. M. NASH

There is an old adage which says that a man is known by the company he keeps. Shelton renders the thought plainer when he says, "You may know the man by the conversation he keeps." This is indeed true; for one's thoughts are his companions, and one's conversation is a portrayal of his thinking. All should therefore be very careful as to the status and reliability of their mental company. Thoughts may lie dormant, be held in abeyance for a season; but they tend to become active, and with association crystallize into outward expression of speech or deeds.

Individuals should endeavor to purify their mentalities and to keep them occupied with pure and holy thoughts. Evil deeds would not be committed if they were not first thought of. Likewise, kind and loving acts would not be performed if good were not first contemplated. Let us always keep our thoughts in accord with good, so that our speech shall be of goodness. It is not only a duty but a privilege to make our conversation beneficial to others. It was said of Mrs. Eddy's mother by Richard S. Rust, D. D., who knew her long and well, "She gave an elevated character to the tone of conversation in the circles in which she moved, and directed attention to themes at once pleasing and profitable" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 5). We who have acquired an enlarged understanding of God, good, through Christian Science should be able greatly to help others by our conversation.

Petty gossip, bickering, criticism, silly nonsensical talk of fashion, worldly pleasure, and the popular talk of sickness and disease, which occupy so much thought and attention, should fill no part of a Christian Scientist's mentality. There is but one thing to do, namely, to cast out and destroy all these and similar thoughts; and this work should not be performed perfunctorily, but whole-heartedly. There should be no lingering yearnings over beliefs of error. This is a joyous privilege; and we should enter into it eagerly and lovingly. Then will error be effectually annihilated, and right ideas, born of Truth and Love, will dwell where evil once seemed to be. With right thoughts, such as love, peace, benevolence, health, joy, affluence, we can begin to aid in the regeneration of a sin-sick, weary world, to relieve mankind of the erroneous beliefs of hate, poverty, greed, jealousy, sickness, sorrow, and death through thought, word, and deed. May thoughts of procrastination and indifference not interfere with or retard the progress of this work.

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