Note: This is the first “Minute Meditation” By Bro. Bob Lloyd, as published in the Tidings for February 1958. Bro. Bob took over the editing of the Magazine from Bro. Carl C. Wolfe in January of that year.
Editorial
“How forcible are right words,” says Job, and Solomon declares that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” We would also like to include “a word fitly written.” It is our prayer that with God’s help this magazine shall fulfill its obligation in speaking “right words,” words fitly written that will be “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Those who write have a grave responsibility since the written word is a permanent record of thought, put down on paper to influence others. It has been said that the “pen is mightier than the sword.” This is true. The Bible itself is the greatest example of the power of the written word. Look at the effect it has had upon the lives of sincere men and women who have read it and died for the principles set forth in its pages. Men like Tyndale gave their life endeavoring to see that this written word might be available to all.
Today we read our Bible in peace, there are no threats over our head. We also may read almost anything else we want since there is no scarcity of the written word. “Of making many books there is no end,” declared Solomon. We have available all kinds of books on every conceivable subject. They run from the trash of many pulp magazines all the way up to the Bible.
The words we read have a great effect upon what we are, since we are what we think, and the words we read become absorbed into our minds and to a great extent become us.
We shall be wise to choose our books as we do our friends, to read those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.
We of “The Tidings,” realizing the responsibilities of preaching “The Truth” via the written word, have accepted this assignment with trembling hearts and feeble knees acknowledging, as Solomon, that we are but little children, and we are in the midst of God’s people, a great people, and so we pray with Solomon that God will give us an understanding heart that we may discern between good and bad that our words may be fitly written as “apples of gold in pictures of silver”.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One