Part 16 (1/2)

But, as you value your independence of mind--yes, even your vigor of mind--do not read other men's opinions upon the subject before you have clearly thought out your own conclusions from the premises of the elemental facts.

As to style, seek only to be clear. Nothing else is important. Never try to be elegant or striking.

Consider the method of the Saviour in His addresses to the people.

Next to Him, those perfect specimens of the art of putting things are the speeches and epistles of St. Paul. I know of nothing in literature so clear, convincing, and logical.

The words of the Master astonish one with their absolute unity with all the rules of effective address.

Especially His method of driving home a truth by repeating it, and that, too, in exactly the same words, is noticeable and very effective. He did not fear that He would be tiresome; He was concerned only in being clear. Take the following examples--Matthew vii:

24. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26. And every one that _heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them_ not, shall be _likened unto a_ foolish _man, which built his house upon_ the sand:

27. _And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:_ and great was the fall of it.

Or study this--Matthew v:

29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into h.e.l.l.

30. _And if thy right_ hand _offend thee_, cut _it_ off, _and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into h.e.l.l_.

Or this--Matthew xxv:

34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we _thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink_?

38. When saw we thee _a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee_?

39. Or when saw we thee _sick, or in prison, and came unto thee_?

40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42. For _I was an hungered, and ye gave me_ no _meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me_ no _drink_:

43. _I was a stranger, and ye took me_ not _in: naked, and ye clothed me_ not: _sick, and in prison, and ye visited me_ not.

44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee _an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?_

45. _Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it_ not _to one of the least of these, ye did it_ not _to me_.