The Tongue

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door 
of my lips.  Psalms 141:3


The tongue is the principal instrument in the cause of God;
and it is the chief engine of the devil; give him this, and he asks
no more-there is no mischief or misery he will not accomplish by it.
The use, the influence of it, therefore, is inexpressible; and words
are never to be considered only as effects, but as causes,
the operation of which can never be fully imagined.  Let us
suppose a case, I fear, but too common.  You drop, in
the thoughtlessness of conversation, or for the sake of argument or
wit, some irreligious, sceptical expression-it lodges in the memory
of a child, or a servant-it takes root in a soil favourable to such
seed-it gradually springs up, and brings forth fruit, in the profanation
of the Sabbath; the neglect of the means of grace; in the reading
of improper books; in the choice of dangerous companions;-who
can tell where it will end?  But there is a Being who knows
where it began.  It will be acknowledged that some have it in
their power, by reason of their office, talents, and influence, to do
much more injury than others; but none are so insignificant
as to be harmless.  
                                                                                  W. Jay