But, as you value your independence of mind—­yes, even your vigor of mind—­do not read other men’s opinions upon the subject before you have clearly thought out your own conclusions from the premises of the elemental facts.

As to style, seek only to be clear.  Nothing else is important.  Never try to be elegant or striking.

Consider the method of the Saviour in His addresses to the people.  Next to Him, those perfect specimens of the art of putting things are the speeches and epistles of St. Paul.  I know of nothing in literature so clear, convincing, and logical.

The words of the Master astonish one with their absolute unity with all the rules of effective address.

Especially His method of driving home a truth by repeating it, and that, too, in exactly the same words, is noticeable and very effective.  He did not fear that He would be tiresome; He was concerned only in being clear.  Take the following examples—­Matthew vii: 

    24.  Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
    doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his
    house upon a rock: 

    25.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
    winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not:  for it
    was founded upon a rock.

    26.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and
    doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
    built his house upon the sand: 

    27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
    winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great
    was the fall of it.

Or study this—­Matthew v: 

29.  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee:  for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee:  for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Or this—­Matthew xxv: 

    34.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come,
    ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
    from the foundation of the world: 

    35.  For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:  I was thirsty,
    and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 

    36.  Naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I
    was in prison, and ye came unto me.

    37.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when
    saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave
    thee drink?

    38.  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked,
    and clothed thee?