How important it is to say the right thing at the right time! The ability to do this is not a special talent belonging only to a few; it is the result of knowing that there is only one Mind, God, and that man always reflects this Mind.

The Gospel of John tells of Jesus' experience when the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery (8: 5-7): "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what savest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them. He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

As a result of knowing his oneness with and his inseparability from his Father. God, what an inspired reply he made! One sentence only, but it silenced the Pharisees and protected the woman.

The story continues: "And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last." Another lesson to be learned from this experience is that Jesus, after having uttered his divinely inspired answer, did not repeat it to give it more effect. Truth is effective, and God is in control of every situation.

Some people never seem to know what to say about Christian Science in ordinary conversation or in replying to questions about it: others seem to have the unfortunate knack of always saying the wrong thing and regretting it afterward.

One Christian Scientist who was always thinking of the right reply hours after it was needed began to pray every day for wisdom in order to say the right thing at once. Every morning she affirmed that the one divine Mind was her Mind by reflection and that because she reflected this Mind she would naturally know what to say and what to do in every situation.

It seemed to be a hard struggle at first; but, gradually, as she acknowledged more and more that God was guiding her, she found herself speaking more easily, often with a conviction that the words were right. One Bible passage which was very helpful to her was God's assurance to Moses when he had declared that he was not eloquent (Ex. 4:11, 12): "Who hath made man's mouth? ... Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

Often this passage has been helpful to those who want to speak at the Wednesday testimony meetings but who are afraid that they are not eloquent enough or that they will say the wrong thing. If the desire to give a testimony comes from a heart full of gratitude or if one longs to help others by telling of the good he has received from the application of Christian Science, then certainly God will put the words in his mouth.

Saying the right words with conviction often brings healing. This was illustrated in the experience of a Christian Scientist who late one morning began to have a headache and to feel quite sick. In spite of her declarations of the truth, she began to think she would have to spend the rest of the day in bed.

When her husband came home for lunch, she asked him to pray for her. After lunch she decided to lie down for a while. Her husband said to her, ''Rest assured."' Just those two words, but with what conviction he spoke them! Immediately she realized that she could rest, assured that she was God's image and likeness. The headache and sickness were no part of God and therefore no part of her, His image and likeness.

As she lay down, she remembered this sentence on page 151 of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy: "The divine Mind that made man maintains His own image and likeness." She thought, "I can rest, assured that God made me perfect, and that He maintains me perfect; I can rest, assured."

Then another quotation, also by Mrs. Eddy, came to her thought, "And rest assured you can never lack God's outstretched arm so long as you are in His service" (Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p. 1). As she considered the various church activities in which she faithfully participated and the hours which she spent in preparing to teach in Sunday School each week, she knew that the quotation applied to her and that she could rest assured of God's constant care.

In five or ten minutes she rose and dressed, completely free from all discomfort and full of gratitude for the healing.

Much advice about how to talk and also how not to talk can be found in the book of Proverbs. It is well summed up in this verse: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health" (12:18). Let us learn to use our tongues so that they will aid and heal those to whom we speak.