276 VITALITY OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION. 



" It is a fanciful idea, that whatever we say or think, is 

 immortal ; that every word we utter goes ringing through 

 the universe forever ; that every thought of the heart be- 

 comes a creation, a thing of vitality in some shape, starting 

 forward among the things of some sort of life, never to die 1 

 I have sometimes, in my dreamy hours, speculated upon the 

 truth of such a theory, and reasoned with myself in favor of 

 its reality. All I can say in its favor, however, is that I 

 cannot disprove it. It may be true,, or it may not. There 

 are other mysteries quite as incomprehensible, the results of 

 which we can see, without being able to penetrate the dark- 

 ness in which they dwell. But assuming its truth, and ap- 

 preciating the consequences which would follow, we should 

 rule the tongue with a sterner sway, and guard the heart 

 with a more watchful care than is our wont. Think of the 

 obscene word becoming a living entity, the profane oath, a 

 thing of life ; the filthy or impure thought, assuming fonn 

 and vitality, all starting forward to exist forever among the 

 creations of infinite purity. Who would own one of these 

 ogres in comparison with the beautiful things of God ? Who 

 would say of the obscene word, the profane oath, or the 

 filthy or impious thought, ' this is mine. I made it. I am 

 the author of its being its creator I' And yet it may be 

 so. If it is, there are few of us who have not thrown into 

 life much, very much to mar the harmonies of nature, to 

 throw discord among the spheres." 



" Your statement," remarked Smith, " that accident has 

 much to do with making or marring the fortunes of men, is 



