Christian Science puts one on guard against indulgence in all destructive talk. It helps the individual to see that words spoken are first thoughts entertained. Worthless thoughts make worthless talk, and nothing else can. This Science shows its students how to control effectively their thoughts by realizing that it is the function of divine Mind alone to control the thoughts of man. This Mind permits man no tendency, willingness, or capacity to engage in idle conversation.

Probably more energy is wasted in unproductive conversation than in any other way. Tongues wag, words flow, and if their value could be weighed, it would often take more than a day's outpouring to make a penny's worth. Homer wrote of "the windy satisfaction of the tongue."

A chantey something like this comes over my radio:

The radio frequently offers a one-sided conversation, sometimes constructive, oftentimes not. But many times when mortals converse, there is much talk that lacks any constructive element— gossip, criticism, complaining, evil enticement, false prophecy, arguing for willful viewpoints.

True speaking really belongs to Mind, God, the only I. As you and I realize more clearly and more constantly the oneness of our individual life and consciousness with God, we shall be mindful of, and bear evidence in our speech to. Christ Jesus' meaningful words, "It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you" (Matt. 10:20). Here is the simple scientific fact that should govern our conversation. Divine Mind, God, should be its source, and its controller. Certainly each of us can in his individual way daily, and oftener, pray in effect: "Father, let my every word be of Thy choosing. May Thy spirit alone speak in me."

Not only do mortals err in talking overmuch about things that it would be better to leave unsaid, but they often talk too much about things which, though matters of good report, should not be spoken of at an inappropriate time or place. Mark records an example of this. Jesus had healed a leper whom he cautioned, "See thou say nothing to any man." But the leper was deaf to this counsel and, according to the Scripture, "went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places" (Mark 1:44. 45). This patient talked so much about his healing that the resulting crowds made it impossible for the Master to enjoy access to the city, compelling him to remain outside "in desert places." The one healed let mortal mind instead of divine Mind impel his speech. Impulse and unguarded zeal possessed him.

Then there are the members of church boards who are morally and ethically bound not to talk outside of such boards of their discussions and proceedings. Leakage in these matters is too frequent and often results in friction and discord which would not have occurred had those concerned fulfilled their duty not "to blaze abroad the matter." or even to disclose it to their close friends or relatives. The claim of error that men and women are often leaky sieves for information that comes to them to be used only for a specific purpose can be healed in Science, and their lips sealed by wisdom and all-considerate Love.

Mary Baker Eddy said in no uncertain terms what the duty of Christian Scientists is with regard to information given them in absolute confidence. In the Manual of The Mother Church is this provision: "Members of this Church shall hold in sacred confidence all private communications made to them by their patients" (Art. VIII, Sect. 22). The inference logically follows that we should "hold in sacred confidence all private communications" which are not intended for others. Let us be better stopping points for everything that should go no farther, rather than distributing points for blazing abroad what should remain unsaid.

Our well-poised Way-shower lent himself to none of the false impulses of negative mortal mind to engage in loose talk, futile opining, unavailing human speculation, because he was so imbued with the understanding of man's sonship and oneness with the Mind that knows and speaks only the words which help and heal.

The inclination or habit of idle talk or unwholesome conversation is worse in some ways than a sickness. It may sicken and wrongly influence the thinking of another or many. Like the ripples started by a stone dropped in a lake, the bad effects of unworthy conversation may often reach a wide orbit. Many will, on occasion, admit this bad habit, but not many make a truly honest and persistent effort to correct it or to absent themselves from gatherings and occasions where it habitually takes place.

Let us as Christian Scientists take stock, and make sure we are not letting our tongues, if yet uncontrolled by God, contribute in any degree to the sum of human discord, misunderstanding, fear, sin, and sickness. Our lives, which include our thoughts, and our every spoken word, we wish to have on the constructive, upbuilding, not on the tearing-down side of life.

"Tell the sick," counsels Mrs. Eddy, "that they can meet disease fearlessly, if they only realize that divine Love gives them all power over every physical action and condition" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 420). Talking is a physical action. Let us realize that we have the power given us by divine Love to control it and make it what it should be, full of the good that honors and glorifies the one source of all that is real, the omnipresent, omniactive Spirit, Mind, or God, in whom are all real being and right speaking.

Paul Stark Seeley