1. In the first place, the preacher should be himself, and should speak like a man. It is preeminently in the pulpit that every thing should be genuine: that every accessory should harmonize with the thoughts; that the eye, the look, and the hand should corroborate what is uttered by the lips.
Strange to say, hardly any attention is paid to this point. Once in the pulpit, it seems to be taken for granted that no effort is required to give the truth distinctness. Words are strung on to words, and any tone of voice is deemed appropriate. … The preacher speaks as nobody in the world ever spoke: he bawls, chants, or sings without modulation and without feeling. Hence, a malicious wag on hearing a preacher pronounce those terrible words: "Depart ye cursed!" in a bland tone, turned to his companion, and said: "Come here, my lad, and let me embrace you; that is what the preacher has just expressed."
Everywhere else, men speak; they speak at the bar and the tribune; but they no longer speak in the pulpit, for there we only meet with a factitious and artificial language, and a false tone. …
This style of speaking is only tolerated in the Church, because, unfortunately, it is so general there; elsewhere it would not be endured. … What would be thought of a man who should converse in a similar way in a drawing-room? He would certainly provoke many a smile.
Some time ago, there was a warden at the Pantheon—a good sort of fellow in his way—who, in enumerating the beauties of the monument, adopted precisely the tone of many of our preachers, and never failed thereby to excite the hilarity of the visitors, who were as much amused with his style of address as with the objects of interest which he pointed out to them.
A man who has not a natural and true delivery, should not be allowed to occupy the pulpit; from thence, at least, every thing that is false should be summarily banished. …
But is it so very difficult to be one's self? Assume your usual voice, your usual manner, modifying them according to the number of your hearers, and the truth which you are about to set forth. Let your speech be frank, sincere, cordial, revealing a true and affectionate soul. Be yourself, and be persuaded that to be so suits you best. Make manifest your heart, your soul; for there is nothing so attractive as a soul. Saint Catherine of Sienna said that if a soul could be seen, she believed that people would die of happiness at the sight.
Look at the man who has a cause to plead, or one who is moved with a strong passion; he is always true—true even to grandeur.