The task of speaking or reading in public can present a great challenge. The inexperienced speaker may be hindered by the belief that his voice is inadequate for public speaking. Yet he may desire to speak well in order to extend the range of his business activity or his participation in the activities of his church.
Christian Science reveals that the healing Christ, the spiritual idea of sonship, is fully adequate to meet speech difficulties. The requisite qualities are spiritual and God-derived, not material and personal. They are presently available and can be demonstrated by individuals.
Of course, lessons in public speaking can be useful, and suitable practice is undoubtedly wise. Beyond these steps Christian Science provides the divine remedy to meet speech needs and problems. Christian Science reveals that in reality God, divine Mind, is the only communicator and that individual, spiritual man reflects God's power of self-expression. Understanding this truth enables us to speak effectively.
Speech declares thought. We learn in Christian Science that the one infinite Mind, God, is the source of all real thought, action, and expression. Mind is omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal, and forever actively expressing itself in its idea, man. Mind, in this sense, is the only speaker. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Science declares that Mind, not matter, sees, hears, feels, speaks." Science and Health, p. 485;
In Mind's expression of itself are inherent the power of Spirit, the clarity of Truth, the accuracy of Principle, the tenderness of Love, the flow and grace of Soul, the vigor of Life, and the wisdom of Mind.
What we really need, then, to enhance our speaking or reading in public is not just an improved voice and manner, or more knowledge, but clarified, amplified, and selfless dedication to the demonstration of this scientific truth: God alone communicates. In the proportion that we are attuned to the divine Mind, we are able to bear individual witness to Mind's ever-active communication to its ideas. Thereby we overcome limitations associated with personal and physical utterance.
Weakness of voice can be laid aside for spiritual strength as we increase our dedication to the truth that Mind alone really speaks. The voice will have carrying power when we realize that in infinite Mind there is no physical distance to obstruct understanding. Lack of feeling and of the right expressiveness give place to the qualities of Soul as human thought discerns and demonstrates the harmony, rhythm, and grace of divine being. Speech is then lifted above mere spiritless words.
Clarity of thought and distinctness of diction, together with fluency of expression, will be improved as we acknowledge Mind as the only and eternal source of ideas, unfailing in its harmonious self-expression. Beliefs of nervousness and self-consciousness give way before our realization of man's true selfhood as the individual manifestation of the one Mind or Ego. When such specific truths are recognized and applied, they find expression in progressive clarity, strength, and beauty in the human voice.
Christ Jesus demonstrated these truths in his healing ministry. The Gospels record several healings of dumbness and of speech defects. One such healing, given in Mark, relates that a man who had a speech impediment and was also deaf was brought to Jesus for healing, "and straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain." Mark 7:35;
In his own public speaking Jesus must have demonstrated the qualities inherent in Mind's communication to its ideas, for the divine message he was entrusted to voice to humanity lives down through the centuries.
We know that the Master could effectively speak to an audience of five thousand and hold their attention (see Luke 9:11, 14). The key to Jesus' effectiveness may be found in his words, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." John 8:28; Clearly he was inspired by the Father, not only as to what he should speak but also as to the way in which it should be spoken.
As we earnestly seek to follow the Way-shower doing only the will of the Father, we become increasingly aware that in our speaking, as in all else, we can of ourselves do nothing. In true humility we too can speak as the Father teaches us. When speech is the outcome of spiritually mental listening, the metaphysical message we impart, both in conversation and in public speaking, flows forth from divine Mind.
When the message to be spoken is an expression of good, it always emanates from God, and the provision of all that is needed for its full and perfect unfoldment rests with God and not with a person.
A Christian Scientist was once contending with a difficulty in speaking when scheduled to lecture for several hours at a large workshop meeting. Knowing that all was spiritual and that spiritual activity could not be hindered, she went forward prayerfully. She explained to the audience that on the previous day she had had no voice but that she would do her best.
Several times, when the condition seemed severe, she vehemently affirmed the truth of man's spiritual identity and denied the error threatening to mar her voice. Her prayers resulted in a tangible sense of Love's presence and supporting care.
After some time there was an additional challenge, for the amplifying system failed, but through prayer she gained a clearer realization of God's presence and power. Her voice increased in volume to fill the auditorium, and the lecture was given in its entirety. When the microphone broke down, it came to her that she needed to do more than pray to get through the day. She needed to look for the complete obliteration of the difficulty. The prayerful work done that day resulted in a full healing.
How was the voice produced? It was indeed the demonstration of the scientific truth that Mind alone really speaks. Christian Science lifts the concept of voice above physical sound and personal effort, of one mortal addressing other mortals in a material environment, and shows that what is really taking place always is the expression of Mind's spiritual ideas.
As we claim man's God-given dominion over beliefs of limitation, this dominion extends our range of activity and usefulness, and advances our spiritual progress.
Mrs. Eddy expected her students to speak clearly. It is related that she said to one of her classes: "Now I want you to speak distinctly. When you speak distinctly it shows your mental quality. Speak as if you had something that you wanted the world to hear. Speak loud and strong and distinctly." We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Second Series (Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1950), pp. 55-56.
As human thought is more attuned to the divine Mind, it will express more fully the divine clarity, strength, and feeling, and these qualities will be evident in the human voice. These developing capacities will demonstrate, in an ever-increasing degree, that Mind, God, alone originates and declares thought, that there is therefore one power of communication, God's power. Mind, not person, speaks.
