" Swift to bear, slow to speak."

Conversation often illustrates how little we I, know of true culture-of carefully cultivated good habits, of love, of self-denial, of godly wisdom. Is it proper conversation where-to use the terms of the Legislature-one "gets the floor," and another "gets the floor," each evidently asserting himself ?

We may easily, without knowing it, only weary one another, or waste our time, and so injure instead of edify one another, by our words. " People must take me as I am," one says; but has any one a right to claim that ? "As we are " may be everything that is injurious and painful to one another. We have a right to expect of one another the fruits of the Spirit, and we have a right to expect that Christians should aim to edify one another, and not to please themselves.

To be truly Christian in life and habits, one needs to be under training and cultivation constantly, according to the Word, " swift to hear, slow to speak." If our habit of conversation is defective, regularly calling for forbearance and patience in others, how much are we really gaining of the knowledge of Christ ? There is some serious lack of self-judgment and of prayer, of reality, of heart-work, of walking before God. "That which is good, … to the use of edifying," will "minister grace to the hearer."

A little silence, sometimes, in conversation, might lead to what would be manifestly for good, when an effort to sustain the conversation, or thoughtless remarks, may leave the heart vacant and defiled.

There is no such training, education, cultivation, wisdom, and true refinement, as that which true Christianity gives:but it must be true Christianity- the Word governing the heart and the conscience- not merely the head. " Death worketh in us," Paul said, "but life in you" (2 Cor. 4:.). As he faced that which demanded the denial of self, he ministered life and edification to others. But if a self-indulged mind is working in us, however little aware this way how much evil may we do, blindly and ignorantly!

According to Rom. 8:, we know there are but the two sources of that which comes forth from us in our daily life-either the flesh, or the Spirit. There is no middle ground. May we lay it to heart, and seek grace to glorify God and edify one another; and the Lord will give help.

" Death and life are in the power of the tongue" Prov. 18:21). ."The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook " (18:4).

" Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it:but the instruction of fools is folly." " The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."

"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones " (16:22-24). "The wise in heart shall be called prudent" (their reputation is good).

" And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learn-'" (16:21). E. S. L.