The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-18
The Pulpit and the Stage.

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Elocution, of which we hear so much
seems to be commonly identified with
numberless tricks with the voice. and
afectations of manner, which has RIGHTLY
enough brought it into disrepute. But
what is genuine elocution more than such
use OF emphasis, infection, pause, and
tones as will serve to bring out the mean
ing OF sentence accurately and impress
slyely? This elocution may be learned
OF few actors-not maryland scarcely
at all of any one else. The preacher who
has mastered the art has an immense
adjunct IS affirming the truths which it is
his mission to teach for perfect elocution
carries truth home with immense in
crease OF force; by giving color and pros
pectVe to sentence it makes its leading
attrmatons salient and penetrating, and
thus not only convinces the understand
ing but lmpresses greatly the magma
ton. This sort of elocution is simplicity
itself, for 1t consists of nothing more than
exact placing Of emphasis, with such
shades OF meaning as may be given by
infection. But, in order to be master Of
the art, simple as it u.s. the speaker must
grasp clearly and distinctly the full mean
ing OF the sentences he means to utter.
No man can think in slovenly or loose
manner and be good elocutionist. A
clergyman, in order to read chapter of
the Bible with that use of elocution that
shall bring out with great distinctness all
the meaning must first comprehend with
great clearness what that meaning is.
DR.. Crosby will admit, we think, that
tins OF itself would make one of the arts
OF the stage very useful accomplishment
for the clergyman. There are a few other
things that the preacher could learn of
the stage. He would discover that re-
pose Is taught as we'll as expression; that
gestures should be large and noble rather
than mean and belittling; that pure
enumeration and correct pronunciation
are necessary for every public speaker.
In TACT the art OF the stage-in It's best
and pure examples an art not in the
least out OF keeping with the mission of
the preacher, and rightly employed,
would greatly enhance his power Of doing
good. 1t may be said that elocution can
be learned elsewhere than at the theatre
The perfection of the art has always been
found on the stage, or with those speak
ers who have gone to great actors for in
struction. The actor alone makes deliy-
cry prolonged and thorough study
Prof. Balm, in his Education as a.
Science, thinks that demeanor as we'll
as elocution should be studied at the
theatre. " We see on the stage, he SAYS,
the most consummate examples of man
ner and address in various situations.
slightly exaggerated from the necessities
OF distant effect, but surprising all, ex-
cept the rarest, instances in common life
Virtue and vice may be found alike on
and off the stage but elocution and ges-
ture can be learned in perfection there
and there alone.-APpleto,as' Journal
The writer admits in the above article
that elocution may be learned of few
actors many: if so, there is not
much to be learned at the theatre. AS 9
practical matter, we never saw any bene-
fit from studying elocution. Did Patrick
Henry or Mr.. Clay learn to speak from
teachers Of elocution ?-EDs.