THE VOICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11508, 2 October 1915, Page 7

THE VOICE.

AN INDEXOFTHE SOUL It is well to cultivate a mild, gentle and sympathetic voice, and the one way to secure a mild, gentle and' sympathetic voice is to bo mild, gentle and sympathetic. Tho voice is the index of the soul. Children do not pay much attention to your words—they judge of your intent by your voice. Your voice reassures. "My sheep know my voice." We judge each other more by voice, than by language, for voice colours speech, and if your voice does not corroborate your words, doubt will follow. We are won or repelled' by a voice. Your dog does not obey your wordshe does, however, read your intents in your voice. The best way to cultivate the voice is not to think about it. Actions beconie regal only when they are unconscious; and the voice that convinces, that holds us captive, that leads and lure»_ us on, is used by its owner unconsciously. Fix your mind on the thought, and the voice will follow. If you i'ear you will not be understood, you are losing the thought—it is slipping away worn you—and you are thinking of the voice. Then your voice rises to a screech, subsides into a purr j or bellows like the vagrant winds. Anxiety and intent are shown, and your case is lost. If you fear you will not be understood, you probably will not. If the voico is, allowed to' come naturally, easily and gently, it will take on every tint and emotion of the mind. So, to get back to tho place of beginning, my advice is this: —The way to cultivate the voice is not to cultivate it. The'voice is the sounding-board; of the soul- God made it rioht. If your soul is filled with truth, your voice'will vibrate with love, echo with sympathy, and fill your hearers with the desire to do, to be and to become. Your desire will be theirs. By their voices ye shall know them. Peace, be still! Feel that, and then say it, and your voice shall be a word of command that even the elements will obey.—Elbert Hubbard.