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Same Words -- Two Different Messages

Read the following message.

"In your last letter you asked about some of my friends. Mary is still a very naughty girl, but that would change if she weren't so nice and could find some people willing to fellowship. You asked if Uncle Bill was still gay. What can I say, he will never change. Albert intoxicated his wife and was sent to prison. Joe is still chauffeur and saved our neighbor's house the other day. Tom is still a very good steward. When you visit the next time, please bring me a brand new jet. Are you still thinking about buying a magazine? Do you know where I could find a good typewriter? It would probably help make your life a little easier. That's enough about the gang. Please do a favor for me if you get to the house first, build a great big fire in the foyer."

Now rewrite the message and replace the underlined words with words that reflect their modern meanings.

Now rewrite the again, but this time use the original meaning for the underlined words.

Words also disappear from languages. As the great lexicographer Samuel Johnson once said in response to Swift's wish that words should be prevented from being obsolete -- "But what makes a word obsolete more than general agreement to forbear it? And how shall it be continued when it conveys an offensive idea or recalled again into the mouths of mankind when it has once by disuse become unfamiliar, and by unfamiliar unpleasing."

If you chose Option 2 and are participating in the BHC Leadership Development Program you are to write a summary of this lesson. Tell us what you learned and make any suggestions on how to improve the lesson. Include any comments on how this information affected your spirituality. E-mail your paper to us by clicking here and attaching your finished paper. If possible use WORD format.

END OF LESSON THREE

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