Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/759

 TO-MORROW, UNCERTAINTY OF

To-morrow? Shall the fleeting years Abide our questioning? They go All heedless of our hopes and fears. To-morrow? 'Tis not ours to know That we again shall see the flowers. To-morrow is the gods'—but, oh, To-day is ours! (Text.)

—, Scribner's Magazine. (3253)  TONGUE, A SWEARING   A long, long time ago, in the summer-time, a man was stung in the face by a bee. This made him mad, and he swore and swore and then swore again. The swear was so hot that his kettle of time boiled over and he wasted half an hour swearing at the bee. A friend who was sorry to hear him swear, said: "Jim, I am sorry for you. I think that bee might have stung you in a better place." Again the kettle boiled over. "Where might it have stung me?" asked the swearer. "Why, it would have been better for you if it had stung you on the tip of your tongue." Read the third chapter of James and then think of the need of a bee on the tip of the tongue—  (3254)   TONGUE, THE  Would not the world be benefited by the surgery suggested in the following anecdote:   An old lady of his flock once called upon Dr. John Gill, a London preacher, with a grievance. The doctor's neckbands were too long for her ideas of ministerial humility, and after a long harangue on the sin of pride, she intimated that she had brought a pair of scissors with her, and would be pleased if her dear pastor would permit her to cut them down to her notions of propriety. The doctor not only listened patiently, but handed over the offending white bands to be operated upon. When she had cut them to her satisfaction and returned the bits, it was the doctor's turn. "Now," said he, "you must do me a good turn also." "Yes, that I will, doctor. What can it be?" "Well, you have something about you which is a deal too long and which causes me no end of trouble, and I should like to see it shorter." "Indeed, dear sir, I will not hesitate. What is it? Here are the scissors; use them as you please." "Come then," said the sturdy divine; "good sister, put out your tongue." (Text.)—Tit-Bits.

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Sarcasm, ridicule, and all forms of bitter speech may be compared to the weapon described below:

The falarica, an ancient weapon, was a sort of javelin, consisting of a shaft of wood, with a long point of iron. This point was three feet long. Near the end were wound round the wooden shaft long bands of tow saturated with pitch and other combustibles, and this inflammable band was set on fire just before the javelin was thrown. As the missile flew the wind fanned the flames, and striking the shield of the soldier opposing it, it could not be pulled out and the shield was destroyed. (Text.)

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The words of James (3:8) about the "deadly poison" of the tongue when "set on fire of hell" are called to mind by the following caution:

You may keep your feet from slipping, And your hands from evil deeds, But to guard your tongue from tripping, What unceasing care it needs! Be you old or be you young, Oh, beware, Take good care, Of the tittle-tattle, tell-tale tongue!

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TOOLS

Dr. David Gregg says:

Tool-makers are the powers in this world. The Jewish legend sets this into the light. When Solomon completed his great temple he prepared a luxurious feast to which he invited the artificers who had been employed in its construction. But in unveiling the throne, it was discovered that a stalwart smith, with his sledge-hammer, had usurped the place of honor at the king's right hand. Whereupon the people made an outcry, and the guards rushed in to cut down the intruder. "Hold, let him speak," commanded Solomon, "and explain if he can his great presumption." "O King," answered the smith, "thou hast invited to the banquet all the craftsmen but me. Yet how could these builders have reared the temple without the tools which I furnished?" "True," exclaimed the king; "the seat of honor is his by right, and he shall hold it; for back of all great and effective work are tools." What is said of the trades may be said of the professions. The best professional work