Editorial September 7, 1940 Issue

"A mouth and wisdom"

GEORGE SHAW COOK

MUCH time is spent, and doubtless some time wasted, in planning what one will say in given circumstances, especially if these circumstances seem likely to result in rebuke or condemnation on the part of others. Even without such a prospect, there is often a tendency to outline speeches in advance. Sometimes the very words in which one intends to present his viewpoint are formulated and rehearsed, notwithstanding the fact that frequently these plans are changed at the last moment by reason of changing conditions.

At one time Jesus, speaking to his disciples of situations of a trying nature in which they might find themselves, said, "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Evidently the Master was endeavoring to impress his students with the fact that divine Mind is spontaneous in its activity and that man, reflecting that Mind, is at all times fully conscious of the utmost freedom of expression. One who is conscious of the facts regarding the ever-presence of divine intelligence, wisdom, Truth, and Love, will not be likely to face any human situation with trepidation or with a sense of doubt or fear as to what he shall say or of its effect.

Sometimes Jesus preferred to remain silent, as in one instance when arraigned before Pilate. At other times he spoke spontaneously and forcefully, and with quite unexpected results to his critics, as, for example, when he said, "If I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."

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