The greatest danger of falling into verbal sin, perhaps, is that
missionaries talk upon topics which are tabooed. For instance,
you meet a friend whose shop is next to a house that has burned
down, and you congratulate him upon it. It is an awful mistake,
a most ill-omened remark. When Dr. Nassau, of Gabun, met
some children and tried to cultivate the friendship of their
mothers, he began to count them, which was unfortunate to the
last degree. One can not talk about death in many countries
without giving great offense. There are many other topics
that are tabooed, but they can be learned about from native
teachers.--H. P. BEACH, “Student Volunteer Movement,”
1906.
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