The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-05-16
COMMUNICATT0NS. 5.
FOR THE JOURNAL.
GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE

THE SATURDAY EVENING LECTURE:
"Sct watch, Oh Lord, before my mouth: keep
the door Of my lips. Psalm. 14l; 3v.
The beautiful allusion Of the Psalmist
covers an important christian grace. LIE,
us illustrate the merits Of the one, and en-
force the obligations of the other. Aware
of the deplorable consequences, Of what
he elsewhere calls speaking unadvisedly
with his lips the inspired miastrel IN,
vokes the sanctifying influence Of divine
grace to set watch before his mouth.
Test, as we are to understand him, some
harsh, or improper thought should escape
BY this avenue. By which metaphor, he
most judiciousIy represents the lips as hav.
ing door, which can be properly opened
or shut only by the movements of "a divine
power. The passage may, or may not
conduct TO the heart. Language may be
expressive Of the sentiments; or it may be,
as it is too often the case, the evidence ot
mere ,houghtlessness. The Psalmist pray.
ed in general terms, against the sin Of evil
speaking: but intimates rather the desire
to be delivered from that degree Of the
guilt, which is incurred by the want Of due
reflection. If his tongue had no vigiant
sentinel of truth or propriety, inspired by
divine grace, how was it possible for him
TO know what hosts of ungenerous, mali
cious or impious expressions mighr pour
out to the injury Of his neighbor; to the
scandal upon religion; and to the offence
against God? The question is not without
force in our day and generation. One oil
the most mschievous. and common often
ces against charity and social happiness,
is that Of inconsiderate speaking: and
therefore, one Of the most important gra-
ces is that which teaches the knowledge.
and inspires the ability 10 effect the pro
per government Of the tongue. Let us
expand those two points of reflection. 1t
should be promised, however, that our
remarks arc not leVelled against the vices
VI scandal or calumny, which ore sins Of
so odious nature that no defamer will ac-
knowledge that he is guilty of them: and.
therefore, those offences should be rebuk-
ed under their own proper designation,
rather than that of general animadver.
sion upon idle speaking. But there is a
propensity in many persons to taule-a
strong inclination, not so much to find
fault, or to criticise, as to hear themselves
talk. Their tongues seem TO have been
stung BY the Tarantula: and they seek the
cure Of involuntary motion. But unlike
the venom of the fabled Italian insect
the disease in question gains strength by
exercise: and "oires acquirit eundo"-I
gathers new vigour as it dances along
To one affected with the garrulous dispo.
sitiou silence is in the last degree painful.
The individual appears to be under ne.
cessity to talk. No matter whether it be
good, bad, or indifferent-the secret Of
friend, or The private concern of family J
which should be sacredly respecled-no
matter what the thought may b. hat
which comes uppermost to suggestion,
must be instantly detailed. There is no
watch set before the door Of his lips
And all sorts Of ideas, and opinions rush
forth. Think of the folly of this unfor-
tunate propensity. Under its impulse,
the loqlacious pursue their course. heed
less of the rebuke of conscience, or the
opinion of others. If there be nothing
new to narrate, the Oft told tale may be
repeated with additions g. EN- bellishments.
If suspicion be excited, or the real fact
discovered, that something strange has
occurred, in the history of the social cir.
Gle with which the garrulous are connect
ed. the favoring circumstance is not 10 be
lost. A me,e hint can, with little in-
genuity, be worked up into the very good
Joke, and practical anecdole which may
create am.semen. or surprise: or in other
words afford something for gossip. A
species Of employment this indicating the
,houghtless pecularity Of mind, which like
the idle instinct of flies ever lIurryiDg from