The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 54

" She seems to hold her home in view, And sa.ils as if the path she knew : So co.lm·and stately in her motion Aoross the unfathomed, trackless ocean." (John Wilson.) The merchantmen of the ancients were of considerable size (Acts xxvii., uviii.); but in our day naval architecture works on a colossal sea.le of which the ancients never dreamed. And what is it that directs the largest vessel so steadily on its course, and enables it t.o persevere even in spite of furious storms? It is simply that little tongue, or rudder, at the stern. The steering apparatus is '' very small" in proportion t.o the bulk of the ship; but how wonderfully great its influence! It not only "turns about " the body of the vessel itself; its action is also powerful enough to counteract the driving force of "rough winds." Now, the faculty of speech is the rudder of human nature. 'l'he tongue "boasteth great things;" and well it may, for "death and life a.re in its power" (Prov. :x:viii. 21), If the spirited horse is a symbol of the :flesh, the "rough winds" which beat upon the ship are suggestive of the world. The rudder of speech, rightly directed, will help us to continue straight on our heavenward course, despite the fierce gusts and gales of external temptation. 3. The little fore. (Vere. 5, 6.) What a terrific power there is in fire I One tiny neglected spark may kindle a conflagration that will consume a city. The great fire of 1666 in London, which began in a little wooden shop near London Bridge, burned down every building between the Tower and the Temple. And how terrible are the seas of fire, kindled often by some casual spark, which roll along the prairies of North America I The power of a little tongue of :flame is simply stupendous; and thus it is a most apposite illustration of the destructive energy of human speech. For "the tongue is a fire." Sometimes this tremendous power is exerted for good; indeed, the " tongue of fire" is the appropriate emblem of Christianity as the dispensation of the Holy Spirit (Acts ii. 3). More usually, however, fire is contemplated as an instrument of evil. So "the tongue is a fire" as regards its intense energy. Unsaoctified speech scorches and consumes. 'fhe liar scatters firebrands; the slanderer kindles lambent :flames; the profane swearer spits the fire of hell into the face of God. " 'l'he world of iniquity among our members is the tongue ; " i.e. a whole microcosm of evil resides within the sphere of its operation. It" defileth the whole body ; " just as fire soils with its smoke, the tongue stirs up the heart's corruption, and uses it to stain one's own life and character. It "setteth on fire the wheel of natnre; "-for the whole circle of an unsanctified life, from birth on wards, is kept burning by the evil tongue. And it "is set on fire by hell; " for the ultimate i.Dspiration of this destructive agency is of i.ufemal origin. This fire is devil- OH. III. 1-18.] TIIE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES.