I have sometimes received encouraging compliments regarding my ability to communicate skillfully. To whatever degree this judgment is true, and granting the special provisions of God, I assure my reader whatever ability I have was received by the means of much work.

Years of daily writing and speaking are useful, yet not enough of themselves to excel in the art. It is my observation that the greatest authors are the best readers. The most honed orators are also adept listeners. The content of one's communication is gained by paying attention to [i]what[/i] is said to him. The style of his expression, however, is learned by attending to [i]how[/i] things are spoken.

One may give all his attention to factual precision while neglecting to improve articulation. Such a man is an oarsman exercising his muscles to Grecian form, while failing to master the method of pulling. If one would advance his message swiftly to the mind and heart of his listener, he must possess both the brawn of verity and the technique of delivery.

Now go about this work with faith in God, who gives every good gift. The Psalmist whose tongue was "the pen of a ready writer", said in the next verse that "grace is poured into thy lips." [Psm 45:1,2] May our sovereign Lord lay His hand to the mouths of His servants.

"Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." Jeremiah 1:10