Chapter III.
The Order of a Sermon
The Exordium.
Divisions.
Proofs.
Are there many Unbelievers in France?
Manner of refuting Objections.
After getting to know the people and to be known of them, to love them and to be loved by them in return, the next step is to lead them to the knowledge and love of God and His Gospel by means of oral teaching. … In carrying this out, use plain speech, and aim straight at your object, which is to expound the truth proposed to be treated in such a way as shall cause it to be listened to with interest. Let it be perceived at once what the subject is, and what you intend to say. Sketch out your truth in a few sententious words, clearly and emphatically enunciated.
Let there be none of those vague and halting considerations which give the speaker the air of a man who is blindfolded, and strikes at random,—none of those perplexing exordiums wherein every conceivable fancy is brought to bear upon a single idea, and which frequently elicit the remark:—"What is he driving at? what topic is he going to discuss?"
Let the subject-matter be vigorously stated at the outset, so that it may rivet the minds and engage the attention of the audience.
Generally speaking, at the commencement of a discourse, there is profound silence, and all eyes are fixed on the preacher. Avail yourself of that opportunity to arrest the imagination of your hearers, to attract their attention, which you should maintain throughout, and to withdraw their minds from the things of earth and from themselves, in order that they may live your life for the space of half-an-hour.
Let your onset be bold and vigorous, that your audience may catch a glimpse of the strength of your position, your means of defence, and the triumph of the truth which you are about to handle. … "I prefer," says Montaigne, "those discourses which level the first charge against the strongest doubt. I look for good and solid reasons to come after."
This should be followed by a word of appeal to the heart, to restrain its evil promptings—something genial and earnest, calculated to open out the soul, and which, coupled with a simple and modest demeanor, shall at once bespeak the preacher as sincerely attached to his audience. If preaching on the duty of charity toward the poor, you might say:—"I come before you on the present occasion to plead a cause which will secure me against all adverse criticism, for I know your charity. I have not to address you to-day in language of censure or rebuke, but in words of encouragement and blessing."