Perhaps nothing is more irksome than to be obliged to listen to a monotone. Monotony in music as well as in speech is, to say the least, not pleasing and may even be trying to one's patience. A song or a sermon, to be enjoyable and effective, should express freshness and spontaneity. Even a well-thought-out and logically arranged address may lose much of its value if delivered monotonously. To be fully appreciated, a speech should be delivered with proper regard for variation of tone, accent, and emphasis, and this will be achieved if the speaker is sufficiently aware of the spontaneous nature of divine Mind and the infinite variety of its expression. On page 518 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," its author, Mary Baker Eddy, says, "All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality—infinite Life, Truth, and Love."
It may be truly said that most persons find the daily routine of mortal existence irksome. There are few upon whom the monotony of material living does not at times pall. The thought of doing the same thing at the same time in the same way, and the prospect of having to go on indefinitely in the monotonous round of daily living, may, in belief, become discouraging. But this could never be true of one who is sufficiently imbued with the desire to serve, and who has an abiding knowledge of the fact that divine Love, ever present and eternal, is the source of his inspiration and ability. The following words of Mrs. Eddy's poem "Christ My Refuge" (Poems, pp. 12, 13) have been found inspiring to many who were burdened with a sense of drudgery:
"My prayer, some daily good to do
To Thine, for Thee;
An offering pure of Love, whereto
God leadeth me."
