- 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
Section 7—Examples of Effective Speakers
Chapter 61—Men and Women of the Bible
Enoch
Conversation on Heavenly Things—Enoch's case is before us. Hundreds of years he walked with God. He lived in a corrupt age, when moral pollution was teeming all around him; yet he trained his mind to devotion, to love purity. His conversation was upon heavenly things. He educated his mind to run in this channel, and he bore the impress of the divine. His countenance was lighted up with the light which shineth in the face of Jesus.—Testimonies for the Church 2:122.VSS 351.1
Preacher of Righteousness—As the scenes of the future were opened to his view, Enoch became a preacher of righteousness, bearing God's message to all who would hear the words of warning. In the land where Cain had sought to flee from the divine presence, the prophet of God made known the wonderful scenes that had passed before his vision. “Behold,” he declared, “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds.”VSS 351.2
The power of God that wrought with His servant was felt by those who heard. Some gave heed to the warning and renounced their sins; but the multitudes mocked at the solemn message. The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days, and it also will be received by the majority with unbelief and mockery.VSS 352.1
As year after year passed, deeper and deeper grew the tide of human guilt, darker and darker gathered the clouds of divine judgment. Yet Enoch, the witness of faith, held on his way, warning, pleading, and teaching, striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay the bolts of vengeance.—Gospel Workers, 52, 53.VSS 352.2
Reprover of Sin—He was a fearless reprover of sin. While he preached the love of God in Christ to the people of his time, and pleaded with them to forsake their evil ways, he rebuked the prevailing iniquity, and warned the men of his generation that judgment would surely be visited upon the transgressor. It was the Spirit of Christ that spoke through Enoch; that Spirit is manifested, not alone in utterances of love, compassion, and entreaty; it is not smooth things only that are spoken by holy men. God puts into the heart and lips of His messengers truths to utter that are keen and cutting as a two-edged sword.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 86.VSS 352.3
Fruitage of His Message—After proclaiming his message, he always took back with him to his place of retirement some who had received the warning. Some of these became overcomers, and died before the Flood came. But some had lived so long in the corrupting influence of sin that they could not endure righteousness.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1088.VSS 352.4