Sunday noon
Not till belief in these declarations , in their most literal sense , becomes the calm and settled habit of the soul , is life ever redeemed from drudgery and dreary emptiness , and made full of interest , meaning , and divine significance . Not till then do its grovelling wants , its wearing cares , its stinging vexations , become to us ministering spirits , each one , by a silent but certain agency , fitting us for a higher and perfect sphere . `` For every idle word that men shall speak , they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment . '' `` A very solemn sermon , '' said Miss B. , shaking her head impressively , as she sat down to table on Sunday noon ; then giving a deep sigh , she added , `` I am afraid that if an account is to be rendered for all our idle words , some people will have a great deal to answer for . '' `` Why , Cousin Anna , '' replied a sprightly young lady opposite , `` what do you mean by _ idle words _ ? '' `` All words that have not a strictly useful tendency , Helen , '' replied Miss B. `` I do n't know what is to become of me , then , '' answered Helen , `` for I never can think of any thing useful to say . I sit and try sometimes , but it always stops my talking .