Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-05-15
Pure Words,
John W. Eddy, in Helena Herald.

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A thought is given power only by ex-
preston. Whether good or evil in its in
iiuence depends upon the direction given
at its inception. The resultant olltgrowtl,
OF thought is action. When of stated re-
currence. action becomes habit, and. in
this progression, the aggregate OF a mans
h,hits is his character. In great degree a
man reputation. which is only the yener-
i'll estimate of his character. rests upon the
words he uses with which TO clotie his
thoughts. TIE evil of pernicious thought
dies If compelled to remain in voicel-ss
silerce. but. once winged with words. it
beromes an active and aggressive agent of
wrong. deiiling alike the heart that gave it
beng and the one that entertains the I'M
wholesome guest. There is nothing that
SO thoroughly blunts the moral sense as
undue familiarity with the corruptiny in
f'nenees that enanate from impure words.
AT first the sensibilities are shocked at even
the light jest that merely hints while il
covers the unseeinly thought that mocks
AT morals and sneers ut virtue. but, AFTER
long indulgence Of the fuulness of dark
thoughts and familiarity with the ribalry
and in,lecency of vicious minds, no Ian
g'age is so vile that it may not be endured.
while the worst scarcely Gxcites a feeling
of disgust
There is in every man conscious ,lir-
nifty that asserts itself in opposition to the
influences that tentl to debase and destroy.
unless by long disuse or continued rep,ps- |
sion it has been erervared and inert. and
much of the force of his character .leps ndS |
upon the intensity of his own convictions
OF rectiiude. for. unless his conscience ap-
proves. a man. in extremity. is weak ana |
cow.rdly. Truths always consistent with
itself. and If Il man speaks only truth he
need never fear to meet his words again.
Purity leaves no detilement. and from pure
wo.els fifty spoken, there can be no danger
of evil.
A bad thought is an impulse toward
wrong. TO harhor such II thought is to
weaken our ability to resist its progress
toward an injurious fruition. To give it
expression is TO add to its malignant power
energy and DOsitiveneSs we NAV
possess. While We aiIgn mt its dignity and
by t e weight o. our own
characters. Words are not mere signs of
IDEAS. When infused with the hot emo
lions that pour forth from the heart in liv-
ng speech are things. and awaken in other
hearts responsive passions. What then
,nght to inspire in us IA holier artlor than
he desire to awaken in others the impulse
owarl goodness and love for the source
If purity. beauty and joy? On the other
iand. what is more to be summed and alb q
iOrresl than the poisonous influence OF
words that till the mind with impure i'm I
ginations which induce excitenents thai t
'verthrow all proper restraints and tend
Oward the destEllotiOn of the safeguards
# irtue? I'VE are I'll as God made us
nd oftentmes a great deal worse.' and h
Dr. our own protection and personal we'll L
eing we should guard against giving ut It
,ranee to impure words, ..for the evil th..t ii
sues from the mouth will fall into the p
Osom." il
HELENA. NJ. T.. April Is. 1879.