While in Australia, Phil Morr had the hair-curling experience of riding with a man who, late in life, had but recently completed a driver-training course. He had learned to start a car by methodical steps, followed explicitly: viz., place feet firmly on the floor, engage emergency brake, check gears, turn key, etc. At a traffic light the engine died, and he had to go through each "step" to restart it; only to kill it again upon release of the clutch. Horns honked, traffic piled up, as the procedure began anew.

Finally the car was started again, but by now the light had changed and heavy traffic was zipping across in front of them. The beginner had the car in gear, then, seeing the traffic he became confused and pressed hard upon both clutch and accelerator. The motor roared, the car shook, and the driver looked beseechingly to Phil for instructions. To his everlasting credit, and well being, Phil said calmly, "George, don't do anything until you have lifted your foot from the ACCELERATOR." (Emphasis, PHIL

to shake — and what shall we do?? "George, don't do anything until you have lifted your foot from the ACCELERATOR!"

"For lack of wood the fire goeth out" (Prov. 26:20). That does not mean all troubles will cease if left alone for it continues, "And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth." It says we may fuel contentions by gossip and unwise comments. Unwittingly, we may stir to a white heat the very thing we would like to squelch. Some may become aware they are stirring a hornet's nest to no good end, but pride and "position" are committed, and they will go down with the ship (taking others with them) before letting up on the gas. How very sad!!

Somehow we have imagined a correlation between strength and loudness; between soundness and sharp retort. Of course soft-spoken talk of love does not make a thing right, and we freely admit it "gets on our nerve" when we know it covers error. But Christ-like treatment will not foster error, and it may avoid a fatal wreck.