The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21
Some of the Peculiarities and Mannerisms
Which Distinguish the Celebrated Preach
er While Delivering Discourse.
How John Bells Weakness Manifested
Itself in the Face of an Emergency.
Labor Representatives Circulating Petitions
for a Special Session of the Fiftieth
Congress, in the Interest of Labor
DIR. SUNDERLAND.

Peculiarities of the Pulpiteer Who breaches
for the President.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Nov 20.-Larger congregations
are seen at the church Of the Rev. DR.. Sunder-
land on Sunday mornings now than at any time
in the past. with the exception of the first three
or four weeks Immediately following the acces-
sion of the new and regular parishioners, Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland. When DR.. Sunderland
preached to General Grant and other notables,
fifteen years or more since, ho was regarded as a
very attractive speaker, and people went to see
him for the purpose of cleaning his words of en-
tertainment and instruction. But with the
disappearance of these distinguished auditors
the Doctor became more or less obsolete When
President Cleveland concluded to attend this
church public attention was again called to this
minister, and the people who went at first to see
the new chief executive and members of his
mansion became entranced with the bright
preacher and are now attending the sanctuary
regularly because they like to hear him talk.
DR.. Sunderland, as a pulpit orator and an ex-
FOUNDER of the gospel is considered eccentric,
but catchy. He is of medium stature, full,
round. smooth face, and has half gray hair,
which is clipped neatly and closely. His steel gray
eyes and well-cut mouth set off Grecian nose
and pair of outstanding ears &c we'll that you
say at once she is frisky." The Doctors pulpit
stands more than two feet above the door. and
he has threeinch portable platform, two by
four feet in size, upon that, which places his
loins above the desk when he talks This often
leads him to stoop in his preaching, and with his
eyeglasses 80 far down his nose that he fire.
quently peeps over them, la Owens; he is fond
of drawing up his mouth. thinning his cheeks,
and making an exclamation so we'll in imitation
of John T. Raymond that one is often led to be-
leve he sees an actor instead OF preacher Yet
it is seldom smile is seen in his congregation.
He impresses all with great solemnity, even in
his amusing mimcry
To tn elocutionist DR.. Sunderland presents
an interesting study He seldom moves his feet,
but almost constantly sways his body. His en-
phasis is given by facial expression and low,
earnest tones of the voice, as is Colonel Inger-
| soils won't when speaking in the opposition.
And, by the way, Dr. Sunderland's voice never
| trembles with more emotion than when he refers
to what he terms "Ingersolls blasphemy." Near
ly all great speakers. It has been observed, are
nervous, and have a way of employing their
hands when talking. Immediately after DR..
Sunderland begins reading his sermons he takes
q handkerchief from his pocket, opens it wide,
carries it behind him. where go both of his
hands, and there he turns it, by the corners,
round and round, round and round. When he
desires to gesticulate with both hands, his speech
for the moment. becomes more deliberate, as he
lays his handkerchief down and raises his hands
as high as his head, leans forward. and almost
means his earnestness If he gesticulates with
one hand he holds the handkerchief in the other
and works it like baker kneading bread, or the
potter pumicing clay.
The Doctor has terse and fluent flow of Ian
guage. His SMILES are extraordinary and his
rhetoric pure. He draws new pictures, speaks
plainly, and has definite idea about what he
means to convey. Some times he grows severe
ly personal and shows what many consider i'll
temper or overzealousness, but he is always
crisp and original,