- Introduction
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- Chapter 1—A Heavenly Talent
- Chapter 2—Design for Communication
- Chapter 3—A Tool for Evangelism
- Chapter 4—Importance of Speech Education
- Chapter 5—The Role of Parents
- Chapter 6—The Role of Teachers
- Chapter 7—Students and Speech
- Chapter 8—The Influence of Words
- Chapter 9—Persuasion Through Speech
- Chapter 10—Misuse of the Gift
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- Chapter 11—Nature of His Voice
- Chapter 12—Effectiveness of Presentation
- Chapter 13—Love, Sympathy, and Kindness
- Chapter 14—Patient Calmness
- Chapter 15—Simplicity
- Chapter 16—Power, Authority, and Earnestness
- Chapter 17—Words of Truth
- Chapter 18—No Complicated Reasoning nor Argument
- Chapter 19—Christ's Study of Countenances
- Chapter 20—Adaptation to His Listeners
- Chapter 21—Illustrations, Symbols, and Figures of Speech
- Chapter 22—The Worker's Model
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- Chapter 23—Revelation of Christ
- Chapter 24—Modesty, Truthfulness, and Discretion
- Chapter 25—Kinds of Negative Speaking
- Chapter 26—Love and Kindness
- Chapter 27—Effect of Words on Oneself
- Chapter 28—Discernment in Reproof
- Chapter 29—Praise and Thanksgiving
- Chapter 30—Care in Speaking of Others
- Chapter 31—Hope and Encouragement
- Chapter 32—Faith a Topic of Conversation
- Chapter 33—Simplicity in Our Speech
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- Chapter 38—Love and Kindness
- Chapter 39—Simplicity and Clarity
- Chapter 40—Pure Language
- Chapter 41—Earnestness and Assurance
- Chapter 42—Conversational Manner
- Chapter 43—No Harsh Words nor Debating Spirit
- Chapter 44—Brevity
- Chapter 45—Speed and Tone
- Chapter 46—Anecdotes and Humor
- Chapter 47—Illustrations and Visual Aids
- Chapter 48—Oratorical and Theatrical Display
- Chapter 49—Danger of Excessive Emotion
- Chapter 50—Being Heard, but Not by Shouting
- Chapter 51—Refinement and Solemnity of Demeanor
- Chapter 52—Every Person an Original
- Chapter 53—The Real Proof of Preaching
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- Chapter 64—The Power of Song
- Chapter 65—Christ's Singing
- Chapter 66—Voice Culture and Song
- Chapter 67—Wrong Use of the Voice in Music
- Chapter 68—Singing That Is to God's Glory
- Chapter 69—Song a Part of Worship
- Chapter 70—Singing a Means of Witness
- Chapter 71—Singing in Israel's Experience
- Chapter 72—Song at Christ's Resurrection and Ascension
- Chapter 73—Song in the Last Great Crisis
- Chapter 74—Songs of the Redeemed
Chapter 4—Importance of Speech Education
Most Important Branch—The talent of speech is to be carefully studied and carefully guarded. This is the most important branch of education, but one which is sadly neglected in all our associations. The power to communicate to our associates may be a great blessing or a great curse.—Manuscript 77, 1897.VSS 30.1
Essential Subject for Our Schools—The education of the speech must not be neglected in our schools. Those who go into society with a desire and a determination to be as Christ commanded them to be, will not condescend to unchristian conversation. They will seek to represent Christ by their spirit and words.—The Review and Herald, January 25, 1898.VSS 30.2
Sanctified Conversation—The light given me by the word of God is that the speech needs to be converted and sanctified. The Lord requires that education should be given in the science of conversation. This faculty has been much abused and perverted. It has not been held as a precious gift from God, to be used to glorify His name. The words are a power for good or evil, a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. Choice words must be spoken by those who would do service for Christ. Haphazard words, hasty, common words, talking for the sake of talking, when silence would be better, is a sin. Those who are the most wordy exercise no wholesome influence upon the society in which they live and move. Bible religion is not to be boastfully paraded, but quietly practiced in good words and works.—Manuscript 74, 1897.VSS 30.3
Evil Speaking a Misdemeanor—Notice these words: “And let the peace of God rule in your heart.” If you do this, a flood of words that have in them no virtue or goodness, will not pour from your lips. “To the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”VSS 31.1
This is the education we need in our schools. The hasty, reckless use of the faculty of speech lies at the foundation of nearly all the church troubles that exist. Evilspeaking should be dealt with as a misdemeanor that is subject to church trial and separation from church membership if persisted in; for the church cannot be set in order in any other way.—Manuscript 74, 1897.VSS 31.2
Science of Conversation As Related to the Study of God's Word—Our education in regard to the science of conversation will be in every way improved if we make the Word of God our study. This branch of education has been woefully neglected. Many receive diplomas from colleges who have not earned them by gaining an all-round education. Teachers and pupils are apt to skip the important matter of the education of speech. For want of training in this line, students lose much. They go from school to be deficient all through their life experience.—Manuscript 74, 1897.VSS 31.3