"Augustine, the great Christian writer and preacher, has not left us in ignorance as to which mode of address he preferred. He enjoins the "Christian teacher" to make his hearers comprehend what he says—"to read in the eyes and countenances of his auditors whether they understand him or not, and to repeat the same thing, by giving it different terms, until he perceives it is understood, an advantage those cannot have who, by a servile dependence upon their memories, learn their sermons by heart and repeat them as so many lessons. Let not the preacher," he continues, "become the servant of words; rather let words be servants to the preacher." (Extempore Speech, p. 34-5.)
3. W. E. Gladstone on Methods of Preparation: Mr. Pittenger, our author above quoted, asked the late Mr. W. E. Gladstone for a statement of his method of preparation for public speaking, and in a very courteous letter that gentleman replied, from which I quote the following, which is all he says on the subject of preparation:
"I venture to remark, first, that your countrymen, so far as a very limited intercourse and experience can enable me to judge, stand very little in need of instruction or advice as to public speaking from this side of the water. * * * * Suppose, however, I was to make the attempt, I should certainly found myself mainly on a double basis, compounded as follows: First, of a wide and thorough general education, which I think gives a suppleness and readiness as well as firmness of tissue to the mind not easily to be had without this form of discipline. Second, of the habit of constant and searching reflection on the subject of any proposed discourse. Such reflection will naturally clothe itself in words, and of the phrases it supplies many will spontaneously rise to the lips. I will not say that no other forms of preparation can be useful, but I know little of them, and it is on those, beyond all doubt, that I should advise the young principally to rely." (Extempore Speech, p. 42.)
PART V.
The Modern Scriptures.—(A) The Book of Doctrine and Covenants.—(B) The Pearl of Great Price.
LESSON I.
SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE.[1]
(A) THE BOOK OF DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS.
| ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
| I. The First of Direct Modern Revelations--Joseph Smith's First Vision. | History of the Church, Vol 1, Chap. 1. Pearl of Great Price, pp. 81-7. Note 1. Preface of Book of Commandments. History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 221-226. Ibid 234-236, 270. New Witness for God, Chap. x. Note 2 and 3. |
| II. The First Compilation of Modern Revelations--The "Book of Commandments." | |
| III. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
1. History of the Book. 2. Character of the Book, its Composition. 3. Testimonies respecting it. | History of the Church, Vol 11, Chap. xviii. Y. M. M. I. Manual (No. 10), pp. 21-27. |
SPECIAL TEXT; Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known: and inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time."—THE LORD TO JOSEPH SMITH.