Article August 23, 1941 Issue

"Expressive silence"

ETHEL COLWELL SMITH

Possibly everyone has at some time experienced the regretful sense of having talked too much. In such moments the unnecessary exposure of personal affairs, indiscreet gossip, or thoughtless denunciation becomes repugnant. Then, endeavoring to rebuild wasted moments, one seeks spiritual wisdom through which to control the tongue. Mary Baker Eddy puts it like this (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 339): "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,—silence for the space of half an hour."

We judge others by their conversation. Our own occasional slips and parade of useless words should make us compassionate of the impulsiveness of others. As students of Christian Science we are taught to watch and love. Gradually we learn to protect our thoughts from carelessness; and we know the value of silent prayer.

Our Leader, referring to the true concept of God, divine Love, has written (ibid., p. 124), "As we think thereon, man's true sense is filled with peace, and power; and we say, It is well that Christian Science has taken expressive silence wherein to muse His praise, to kiss the feet of Jesus, adore the white Christ, and stretch out our arms to God." "To muse His praise" in "expressive silence" deprives error of voice and audience. Who has not encountered silences extremely effective? An impressive example of this was when Jesus, questioned by Pilate, "gave him no answer." He maintained awareness of the omnipresence of God, divine Mind. His great demonstration of God's power was approaching: it was a time for proof. He had worked alone with Spirit, God, and he knew what he must do. And after the resurrection he said to his disciples, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

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