pressed by the Biblical writer, might be considered a fair illustration of what would happen without the power of articulate speech.

Also in commercial life, so highly organized to suit the necessities of man, this gift figures largely in facilitating business. Men talk things over, exchange ideas, counter and parry as they move among their fellow men acquiring information, preparing for purchase or sale of their goods and products. Thus we see that for the advancement of civilization, for education, for commercial and industrial, religious and political purpose, this gift must be cherished, preserved and be cultivated as it may lead us on to the higher methods of communication; shall we call it telepathy? To fix an idea or plan within the mind a formula of speech is almost unfailing.

Since speech has been translated into the printed page and preserved in book form and magazine, we may look to see how these have contributed to the welfare of mankind.

The newspapers of to-day, some ponderous in the extreme, the magazines, periodicals and books, all issued with a view to enlighten in some line of education or phase of life, serve a great purpose in broadening man's horizon along all lines. One man at the age of ninetyeight remarks that reading newspapers every day had contributed to his longevity. He had taken five papers every day for many years, and read them; so he recommended the reading of papers for stimulating the mind and adding to length of life.

So along all lines of life in the home amid the cares of domestic life, in teaching baby to talk and sing, and in industrial life in expediting the use of machinery by communication, and in commercial life, we see the won

derful contribution to man in the gift of articulate speech and expression by printed or written page.

The great orators, poets, historical writers, travellers and explorers, all can resort to the printed page in magazine or book form to let the world know of their thoughts and findings in life.

How the burning words of Portia, as painted by Shakespeare in his "Merchant of Venice," have cut their way into the hearts of men through the centuries as she demanded of Shylock that if the pound of flesh be taken it must be nearest the heart without shedding a drop of blood. How her words pierce the hearts of the extortioners and the greedy as they would demand the pound of flesh.

These, with other great teachings of Shakespeare, inspire our lives to-day. The great lessons of the poets and historians framed in phrases and thought to suit are here preserved as a foundation for our thought and inspiration.

Figuratively speaking, we dwell in cities that we did not build, so to speak, and enjoy the fruits of labours for which we did not sweat.

Ours is a goodly heritage" through articulate speech and written language. We live through the moods, the heartburnings, the longings, regrets and ecstasies of other years and of other peoples as we review their writings and live their lives in thought and mood, make companions of men and women whose characters we admire. All these things are for the purpose of lifting us to higher conceptions of life, duty and obligation, that we may acquire a clearer appreciation of the beautiful, the true and the good.

A prominent writer says, "Thought itself is impossible without words." And there is no thought without

language, spoken, written or some other expression. It may be by the face, action, attitude or a combination of expressions. Thought itself begets action and expression in language or life. But language spoken or written is the great means of transmission of thought.

J. Arthur Thomson says: "Man stands apart from animals in his power of building up general ideas and of using them in the guidance of his behaviour and conduct. Some animals have words, but man has language (Logos). Some animals show evidence of perceptual inference, but man often goes byond this to conceptual inference (reason)."

TOPICAL SUGGESTIONS:

1. Power of speech necessary in social, domestic and industrial relations of life, as shown by history.

2. Billions of dollars spent on education to foster language and speech. The importance shown in efforts upon the infant to foster speech.

3. Language universal in civilized society.

4. Power of oratory upon civilization. Noted orators.

5. Effect of oratory upon ideals of men marking pivotal points in history.

6. This gift in relation to song, religious gatherings and political life.

7. Facilitates business and movements in all relations of life. 8. Newspapers, magazines and writings of leading men. Influence of such men as Shakespeare and poets in shaping the sentiment and ideals of peoples.

I

XVI

MUSIC AND SONG

N the laws of music, classified as one of the fine

arts, we find a contribution to the welfare of mankind showing the goodness and wisdom of God.

From earliest history, and among all peoples, music has furnished much of the great pleasure and has entered into most of the joys of individual life, also in congregational gatherings both for recreational and religious purposes.

From the dawn of creation music has enraptured the soul of life with her symphonies. As the poet, when first aroused by the beauties of God's creations and being lifted upon the wings of inspiration, he pictured the time when "The Morning Stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy."

The people of earliest times in their homes, at firesides and community gatherings, sang the praises of the Creator and His wonderful goodness to the children of

men.

The history of Israel is marked by its beautiful conceptions in poetic songs as seen in the song of Miriam and the inspirational notes of the Psalmists as they chant their lays in praise and song. In the songs of Solomon, in the spiritual conceptions of David and the seers of old when they struck their prophetic lyres, they rose to their highest and best as they voiced their praises under the spell of sacred music. In earliest Babylonian history we find the cornet, flute, harp and instruments of solemn

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sound, when Nebuchadnezzar and his retinue demanded of all men that they bow down before the image which he, Nebuchadnezzar the King had set up." Here also we find, mingled with the sordid and low spiritual life, the highest and most exalted conception of duty and obligation to be decided at the sound of the musical instruments as noted in the history of "Daniel."

Among the Grecians in the mythological legends we find Pan piping to the woodland fairies and Ulysses filling the ears of his ship crew and tying himself to the mast in order to keep from falling under the spell of siren songs.

The Indian chants his war song as he prepares for the attack; the negro sings or hums his melody as he labours under the midday sun in cotton fields. It is said that the Filipinos, who are known as a musical people, will increase their output of production in the fields. twenty per cent when working under the spell of music and song.

Shakespeare has said: "The man who has no music. in himself nor is moved with concord of sweet sounds is fit for treason, stratagem and spoils." The Chinese with their crude tom-tom and incantations presume to raise the spirits by their enchantments. When the martial strains of the "Marseillaise" reaches the Frenchman's ear, or when the Britain's veins swell to the tune of "God Save the King," or the American's vision is inspired by the "Star-Spangled Banner," men are moved to heroic deeds and martial valour begotten as under the spell of a muse divine. In our religious and patriotic celebrations, in church and state, men and women and children rise to their highest conception of duty and obligation under the swelling emotions of choral or individual song. The souls and minds of men respond as