The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-11-10
Raruestness.

Worthy George Herbert, in his admira-
bic old portraiture Of The County Par
SOB, says that in preaching he procures at
tention by eanestness of speech; it being
natural to think that where there is much
earnestneSs there is something worth hear.
ing This, doubtless, is the true secret OF
all successful speaking. IL is an ancient
saying, and worthy Of general acceptation,
that he who would persuade others, must
. needs show that he is thoroughly convinced
himself. Whatsoever a man believes, and
lays earnestly to his heart, be will be like
ly 10 utter again with an emphasis sufficient
10 induce others TO believe il also: and, on
the contrary, whoever speaks merely from.
hearsay, or without a sancere conviction in
regard TO the truth of what he says, will in.
evtsbly fail to effect any real persuasion.
His lack of perfect belief in his own
statements will betray itself through the
looseness or indifference of his address
He will, to close observer, give evidence
against himself of his inward insincerity.
Persons accustOmed-to witness the proceed
Ings Of courts Of justice, cannot fail to have
even the cleverest pleaders to produce "a
vorsble impression on behalf OF their client
whenever they are personally conscious OF
advocating an unjust cause. There is 81
ways some damaging Inconsistency, some
unconcealable misgiving, which publishes
TO an observant bystander that the man is
sensible Of doing violence to his own con.
victions. The cunningest show Of argu.
ment, the utmost yehemence of manner
are of no avail in speaking, unless the
speaker is zealously in earnest, and can
mus give Us an assurance that no latent IN
belief, no residuum Of indifference, is lurks
ing in his mind.
Ii is this quality OF earnestness which ex.
plains the success Of every fanatic. Be-
cause men love and admire earnestness,
and have an instructive belief that it is al.
weys The sign Of something true, they listen
willingly and eagerly 10 whatever man may
come 10 them with an earnest and soulin.
spring message. For it is a mistake to
suppose that lanstscism is mere imposture.
The souiest zealot that ever gained the
slightest credit with the multitude, was sue
cesslul solely through the power Of some
truth which he embodied in his doctrines,
and which, Notwithstanding the distortions
and dishgurements OF its external folds, he
could bring earnestly before the minds OF
his adherents. No man ever staked his
hope upon lie. A lie is forever unbe-
hevable, and never gains even a temporary
credence, save while il is mistaken for
truth. 1t has TO advance furtively ia the
name OF its very enemy, assuming the habit
and honest accent Of reality, in order to OBJ
tain the most trans;tory reception with man.
kind. The soul never relies upon false
hood. There was always some particle OF
truth bound up with the widest absurdities
that were ever yet accredited among men,
otherwise belief in them had been impossi-
bic. Whatever error is seen TO prevail in
any system Of practice or opinion, it is be. |
cause the original truth which formerly sus-
tanned the system, and made it credible, has
been lost or progressively perverted; and
not because men had ever willingly and
knowingly accepted or fostered their faith
on mere delusion. ii is not in the nature
Of things that a man should be persuaded
by anything which does not come home to
him with the effect of truth. The success.
e. of the fanatic are accordingly traceable
10 the sincerity Of his convictions. By re.
lying steadfasily upon these, be would be
emboldened to appeal earnestly 10 men;
and to minds of like character and cultiva-
ton, his doctrines might not unnaturally
appear credible. The tendency to believe
whatever is earnestly enforced on the at
above to exist inherent
ly in men-along with the equally natural
and relevant expectation that wherever
there is the outward sign Of sincerity there
is truth, will readily enough account for the
origin and prevalence Of the most extrava-
giant forms Of faith, and Tor the widest &C.
centicities Of conduct by which these have
been at any time accompanied.
Whilst earnestness, however, is the vital
and sustaining element Of fanaticism, il full I
fills a nobler and indispensable capacity in
the way of furthering the teachings and the
ends of wisdom Truth, in its own nature
calm and perfectly serene, becomes more
onlNefsdlly diIdClNo, anu updlIs W q more |
effectusl pre-eminence. when harmoniously {
allied with passion. The clearest scientific
Of any doctrine will not produce
that overpowering effect upon the mind q
which will arise when the same doctrine is I
enforced with an earnest defamation
The natural ornaments and graces of utter. I
ance, which spring spontaneously from the
intellect in state Of high emotion and ex- I
though adding nothing to the in.
trinsic weight Of facts and principles, do {
recommend them more impress 3
sively 10 the attention, and, by interesting 8
Inc feelings and imagination, secure for q
them more hearty and adequate accept c
ance. The fable of Orpheus charming Z
stones into motion by the power Of his mu- B
nc. symbolises the grand attractions of elo- 4
quence and poetrY-of all the fascinating t
and imprisoned forms of human speech. e
This fine enchantment, which The earnest 81
soul Of a man difuses over other souls, SO b
hat they instantly blieve the word he utters, is
aod are kindled with high resolves and as a
pifahons, is As literally miraeuIous a. any. q
hing that Il reported Of magical or prster. ID