Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-21
4 Universal Language.
observations Of a Philosophical Friend
of Ours)

or OurS.)
zone touch Of Nature makes the whole
world kin."-Troilus and Cressida.
1.-The lip of truth shall be established
forever. proverbs.
According to the record in the begin
ming OF our race, all the earth was of
one language and of one speech. Pretty
soon, however after the flood the old
weakness Of our Mother Eve began to as
sert itself, and the people set them
selves to build a city, and a town whose
top should reach unto Heaven. To sub
due their aspirations and put stop 10
the rise of their ambitious project, the
Almighty sent misunderstanding among
them. They. no doubt, first fell to de-
ing: they could not come together: their
work ceased: and they were scattered
over the face of the earth. And the
further they got TO be apart, and the
more different became their circum-
stances and interests and occupations.
the more divers became their languages:
and so we are where we are, lnguisti-
cally.
The first great miracle after the resur-
rection of the Saviour was the wonder
of the day of Pentecost. On that great
occasion, representatives, of all peoples
and nations and languages from all parts
of the earth, in one common crowd,
heard and understood the one language
that proceeded from the lips of the
Apostles. The pride that lifted up the
Tower of Babel scattered mankind over
the whole face of the earth: The lowly
love that lifted up Jesus Christ upon the
cross drew all men unto Him. The Pen
tecostal miracle was the divine procla-
nation OF the restored unity of the
human family. 1t was the keynote of
universal harmony: the touch Of absolute
and normal nature that made the whole
world kin. 1t was the anticipation of the
grand reunion Of all nations and kindreds
and peoples and tongues before the great,
white throne in one language hymning
the praise OF God. The early Christians
were all Of one accord and one mind:
And though they used divers tongues,
they understood one another-they had
all things in common.
1t Is not a little remarkable that the
one language that is overspreading the
earth is largely identified with the Word
Of God. It's literature is permeated and
saturated with Christian truth, the pre-
ceptia medicine Of the Gospel. Healing
is in its wings. 1t is made UP OF the ele-
ments of all languages that have ever
been written. 1t carries in IL the riches Of
all he Df VIo
itself in their glory. The commerce or
the Anglo-Saxon race covers the EARTH
with 1t its language and literature; and
with them the knowledge OF the Lord, as
the waters cover the sea.
Among the wonders OF the nineteenth
century has been the enlargement of the
vocabulary Of the English language
Every branch OF human art, science, and
industry has spread itself in a thousand
thoughts and ideas and newly-discovered
truths and facts that have required new
words to embody and express them. We
have been compelled 10 use the material
of letters of all that have gone before u.s.
and make new combinations and vehicles
for our intellectual fruits and products.
Our language Is becoming infinitely va
ried and adaptable and adjustable. 1t
possesses all the requisites OF a universal
currency. II is pure. enduring, taking,
and holding impressions, valuable. agree
able, pleasant TO the eye and musical 10
the ear. It's poets and writers have made
its music and its flavor agreeable and
wholesome Time is purely purging away
It's dross. while its standards will never
fail. The authorized version OF the Eng
lish Bible and the Book OF Common
Prayer will hold their place while the
English language is spoken. And more
and more will II become the JOY OF all
thinking men 10 read the works Of Shakes
peare in their original tongue. These
standards are powerful 10 effect the uni
versatility of our language.