rs, but
are subdued and softened and lost sight of because in the language
of Fox, "The Lord's power was over all." Brevity, earnestness,
sincerity--and frequently a lack of polish--characterizes the best
Quaker speaking. The words should rise like a shaggy crag upthrust
from the surface of silence, under the pressure of river power and
yearning, contrition and wonder. But on the other hand the words
should not rise up like a shaggy crag. They should not break the
silence, but continue it. For the Divine Life who was ministering
through the medium of silence is the same Life as is now ministering
through words. And when such words are truly spoken "in the Life,"
then when such words cease the _uninterrupted_ silence and worship
continue, for silence and words have been of one texture, one piece.
Second and third speakers only continue the enhancement of the
moving Presence, until a climax is reached, and the discerning head
of the meeting knows when to break it.

WHAT ARE WE TO DO IF SOME FRIENDS ARE SOMETIMES OVER-VOCAL ABOUT MATTERS
THAT ARE HARDLY THE PROPER CONCERN FOR A MEETING FOR WORSHIP? How are we
to regard those who do not always speak acceptably to us, or are
overlong in their words, or who get up and repeat what we have heard
them say again and again? Instead of viewing them as objects of
criticism, separated from you, try to feel them as being together with
you in a common life, and pray that the Creator of this life may make
all expressions living expressions. Do not let your resentment build up,
but increase your humility by recognizing that the faults that others
display may well be your own.

HOW ARE WE TO MANAGE THE OCCASIONAL RUSTLINGS AND NOISES, WITHIN AND
WITHOUT THE MEETING, THAT THREATENS TO DISTRACT US AND DRAW US AWAY FROM
WORSHIP? Here Douglas Steere has a helpful practice. Try to include
these distractions in one's worship. Instead of attempting to exclude
them, weave them into your efforts to practice the presence of God. Read
what Douglas Steere has to say of this in _A Quaker Meeting for
Worship_.

But again and again before I get through this far in prayer my mind
has been drawn away by some distraction. Someone has come in late.
Two adorable little girls who are sitting on opposite sides of their
mother are almost overcome by delight in something which is much too
subtle to be comprehended by the adult min