The truth of this becomes obvious when we discover what is meant by the terms. Spiritual growth is an ever-deepening friendship with God. Friendship is impossible without intelligent intercourse. All this is good and proper in its place, but even human friendship involves something more than to ask favors or to express either gratitude or apology. There must be a communication of thoughts and interests.
Human conversation is the medium of earthly friendship.
There has never been a time when meditation was more needed and perhaps less practiced by Christian people. The reason for this is easily discovered. Western civilization has not developed along contemplative lines, and this modern age with its radio, television, cinema, and highly illustrated journalism is rapidly bringing about the atrophy of the thinking faculties. People do not want to take the time or to make the effort to think. We cannot expect to rise straightway to the state of passive contemplation or rapt ecstasy.