Many infelicities of speech creep into a sermon because diligent and painstaking care has not been taken to ascertain the right usage of a word or the correct form of sequence in a grammatical construction. It is not to be denied that an erring tongue may set souls aflame for God, but the highest presentation of truth demands precision of speech, and even the most persistent of incorrect language habits may be remedied by the exercise of diligence. A dictionary and an English grammar are as appropriate on the preacher's desk as his Bible, and they should never need dusting.
As an illustration of what a little dictionary drill might accomplish, let me cite three instances that came under my notice recently in regard to an unhappy choice of words. One speaker said that a certain task had been performed with great perturbation of body. Another suggested that the mission goal be enhanced. And still another used this expression, "I do not wish to infer to you that," et cetera. Now as a matter of precision and idiomatic usage, only the mind or spirit can be said to be perturbed, only a quality or abstract essence can be enhanced, and only conclusions can be inferred from a given set of facts. A perturbation of spirit, yes; an enhancement of values, indeed; an inference in the sense of a deduction, surely. The first man meant an exhaustion of body, the second desired to increase the mission goal, and the third would better have said: "I do not wish to imply," et cetera.
The simple lesson to be learned here is that no one should use a word with which he is not reasonably familiar. Three minutes with the dictionary will often save embarrassment. Let me suggest the use of Fowler's. "Dictionary of Modern English Usage," a recent reference work which is invaluable for every speaker.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
