The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-23
The Power of ExprpssjOn.


There are, perhaps, few things that, |
in proportion to their importance, re- |
ceive so little systematic cultivation as
the power of utterance. Speech Is the |
chief means of communication with |
our fellow men, the channel through |
which thought flows from mind to
mind, the instrument of all business. |
education and action. Our power and
influence in the world dep end not more
on what we have within us than on our |
ability to bring 1t out. Intellect and
affection must find expression, If they |
arc either to thrive in themselves or to
benefit the world. 1t is too much taken
for granted that this matter will regu-
late itself-that all we have to do is to
guard well our minds and hearts, and
that our conversation being their natur-
al outflow, will take its coloring from
their character, without effort on our
part. This partly true the fountain
must be pure if it is to send forth pure
streams. But, to give distinct and forci-
BILE utterance to our thoughts and feel
ings, is an art not gained without pa
tient care and cultivation. Ever one
who has tried to announce the best that
is in him-the deepest thoughts, the
highest aspirations, the warmest affec
tions-has been conscious that his words
fell short at least of his meaning, if not
indeed, greatly misrepresenting it.
This is not owing to the poverty of the
language, as some may think. Words
and ideas grow side by side, and there
are always means of adequate express
sion at hand if we can find and arrange
them. But to do this requires a prev
ious training, that the schools alone
cannot give, and that only personal at.
tention and constant habit can produce.
Many fail in utterance from the de-
sire of display. They wish to say some
thing apt and spocious, to be thought
bright and sparkling, or deep and pro-
found; and, not having original
thoughts to utter on the subject in
hand, they hasten to say what they are
supposed to think, and to veil their ig-
norance under a cloud of words. This
is, perhaps, the greatest bane that con-
versation can have. Sincerity lies at
the root of all speech that is worthy the
name. If we are ignorant, it will aid
us to draw forth by questions the wis.
dom of another, and make it our own ;
but he who, from false pride, pretends
to what he has not, and is hypocrite
for the sake of display, degrades both
his own character and the language he
misuses. Some fall from lack of SIM
plicity and clearness. Their utterances
are confused, and do not convey theil
meaning accurately. Thoughts float ir
their minds, but lacking method an(
!, arrangement, they neither fully appre
hend them themselves, nor succeed IL
conveying them to others. There ar
some, who from circumstances of secl"
sion or fro,,, perSn~~i oIIiInklng, neVe
;, attain the habit of freely uttering thei
y minds and the difficulty never havin
:. been fairly met and overcome, they ar
!, always ill at ease and embarrasse,
= when called upon for expression. I
person with more than ordinary menta
y vigor may, for want of this power o
y utterance, become cipher in society
Only strong determination to conque
> this weakness, and to embrace ever
= suitable opportunity of uttering in sir
cerity and simplicity what he think
y and feels, will enable such a man t
- take a natural and useful part in soca
>. intercourse.
u The majority Of people have littl
4 difficulty in eX preston where bushes
" or pleasure, or material interests of an
kind are involved. 1t is when the
G approach the inner life, the hidde
qualities of mind and heart, the NOR
. subtle and refined questions of truth
II duty and goodness, that their lips ar
y sealed and their tongues are mute. Thi
D results partly from the greater hold tn
= material has upon most Of us than tn
II spiritual; for out of the abundance {
u the heart the mouth speaketh. But thi
u is not the whole reason. We are apt
e regard these subjects with an air {
mystery, to revere them as too sacre
j. to bear full inspection, and to shrin
d from uttering the thoughts they ma
. inspire. This is an error, which if nc
: corrected will lead to moral deteriorf
. ton. If we would become nobler an
y wiser, we must bring out freely the be-
that is in us. There is nothing to
sacred for dissemination, nothing s
10 good but what will grow better by bt
,s ing shared. The farmer does not hid
:. his best seed, but scatters it over HI
broad acres, in faith that it will multi
f ply thousand fold in the harvest
q will yield. So, whatever we have in U
!. that is worth cherishing or nurturinl
|. whether it be truth or virtue, loft
e aims, or cheering hopes, let us not hes
q tate freely to communicate them, an
=. to sow in other hearts the blessings "
o. have reaped in our own. Two grei
is aims of life should govern all our ute
N ances: :-selfimprovement, and the be
=, eft of Others. These need not linn
II conversation to any narrow circle
w subjects or restrain its freedom, but W
n. rather by bringing out its true objec
of raise its character and expand its libe
.. ty. If we would develop our bett
v natures, and elevate those with who
X. we associate, by means Of our int
If course with them, we must cultiva
n. sincerity, humility, and clearness
~ mental vision, we must desire to ii
10 prove rather than to be admired, and
70 benefit others rather than to fat
an them. Then our utterances will
v simple, true and pure. and will devel
" and difluse the best that is in use
10 Ledger,
sr- A sIIREwD case of false preten
lie. was developed in England latterIy
Vt the means adopted by an elderly Ell
lishman, who was bankrupt, but W
w still enjoyed the reputation of bein
y rich man, to live at peace with hims