From"The Present Testimony," "Speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). It is no mean victory over oneself to have learned to open our lips only for the good of others. It costs much to withhold that which, while it may be pleasing to ourselves, is unprofitable, or worse, to others. Oh for more in us of that love which does no harm to the neighbor, but only good!

Nor does this mean that our words must be of that sort which pleases everybody. Far be it from us to seek to be men-pleasers. This is not love. But it is love, whatever the words may have to be, when the burden of the heart is the blessing of our fellows. Scripture uses strong words sometimes, but its mind is ever the good of the hearers.