"Well, if you must hear it, I can tell you how it took place, in a few words. A religicuse had pestered me to read your little book—pardon the expression: I used to speak in that style in those days. On reading a few pages, I was so impressed that I felt a strong desire to see you.
"I was told that you preached in a certain church, and I went to hear you. Your sermon had some further effect upon me; but to speak frankly, very little, comparatively, indeed, none at all. What did much more for me was your open, simple, and good-natured manner, and, above all, your ill-combed hair; for I have always detested those priests whose heads remind one of a hair-dresser's assistant; and I said to myself: That man forgets himself on our behalf; we ought, therefore, to do something for his sake.' Thereupon I determined to pay you a visit, and you bagged me. Such was the beginning and end of the affair."
The thought should never be absent from our minds that we preach the Gospel, and that the Gospel is preeminent in inculcating love toward humanity. Away, then, with all domineering and dictatorial airs! Away with all violent language! The people regard it as the ebullition of anger, and are not at all edified thereby.
On the other hand, in order to succeed, the heart of the preacher must first be penetrated with what he teaches; an appropriate accent will follow of itself. There are men who carry about with them something godlike. … Such men are eagerly listened to, they are believed, and then loved.
From what has been said, it is obvious that we should train ourselves to obtain proficiency in action.
Action is the manifestation of the thoughts of the soul through the medium of the body. But the body often rebels and weighs down the soul; and in this, as well as in many other things, requires to be suppled, mortified, disciplined to obedience. However strong the soul may be, it rarely gets the mastery over the body at the outset, and does its part very inefficiently. It is the same with soldiers. When a young conscript first joins his regiment he is heavy and awkward, and his military arms seem a burden to him. Six months later all this is changed: he is quick and smart, and carries his arms with quite a French grace. The same transformation may be effected as regards public speaking.
One who has had considerable experience in the direction of seminaries, has written the following; which I feel it a duty to transcribe entire:—
"It is incumbent on a preacher to possess oratorical action, and to practise himself therein until he has acquired it. Conscience, indeed, must tell him that he ought not to neglect a matter on which the success of his ministry depends; and that if, to the mischief of men's souls, theatrical actors spare no pains to attain perfection in action, the preacher should strive, with at least an equal zeal, to become proficient in that respect for the good of men's souls. What! shall the ministers of God weaken by vicious action the force of all they say, while the ministers of Satan, by consummate skill in action, redeem the vanity of their speeches, and impassion the souls of their audience! Surely, this would be a disgrace to the clergy, and an outrage on the word of God.