THE TONGUE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 42, 17 October 1907, Page 38

THE TONGUE

5- One of the ancients was once asked : What .- is the : tongue ? All that is best, and all that is worst, he v replied. _ The tongue is the noblest faculty man possesses ; tnrough-its means he holds communion- wiih his fellow-creatures, and maintains with them all those re-, lations^ wMch are both a necessity and; the charm of' life. It is by means of the tongue, that key of themind and heart, that the soul reveals its thoughts and•feelings and gives forth those tones so full of rrelody, power, and sweetness, that radiate -around her and make her a centre of attraction for other minds. But, alas ! =the /tongue is also the most active instrument for propagating sin and ■ ',Jt is ;a channel for .somethrough which all the foulness of "the ■ heart pours it-: self forth ; the interpreter through whom all earthly : passions speak— such as pride; hate, wounded jealousy," revenge, and impurity ; or it is the quivering leaf perpetually agitated by .the breath of a changeable, inconstant," and vain-glorious wind.