The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-03

generally the result of lines of thinking
and forms Of expression which are ia
miliar to the speaker.
In these cases 1t is not exact to say
that the speech or sermon is extern
spontaneous bubbling up
from original springs of thought and
argument. On the contrary such occas-
ional performances are merely the re-
suit of previous thinking, and possibly,
of whole lifetime given to the con-
sideration of that and related subjects.
1t is also fact, as Mr.. Depew says,
that many of the great speeches of the
great orators are memorized, (although
we think Mr.. Depew is in error as what
he says of the practice of Wendell Phil
lips.) We may say the same of good
many sermons that are delivered appar-
emily without preparation. In some
cases the memory is SO retentive that
words and phrases are followed exactly
as in the previously prepared manu-
script. This implies special gift,
which is rare even among those who
adopt this plan. Others again write
in order that the leading thoughts of the
discourse may be thoroughly welded
into the memory, and in speaking, the
thought clearly apprehended, takes the
form and words suited to its expression.
No person listening to such apparently
off-hand discourses is competent to
pronounce on the method of prepare
ton; but in the case of the preacher
who comes into the pulpit without a
thorough preparation for its duties, the
hearers are more successful in under
standing the exact facts in the case.
Intelligent listeners can detect this
kind of preaching and it assuredly low
ers the preacher in their estimation.
The most suicidal mistake that the
minister can commit, is to trust to a
fluency of speech without the adequate
preparation of the study. The art Of
thinking on the feet is extremely rare,
more rare in fact than the gift re-
quired to memorize written discourse.
The law that seems to govern what are
popularity called extemporar )us efforts,
is that solid foundation of preparation
is essential. A fruitful line of thought
first mapped out in the brain, will in
the expression, suggest other and re-
lated thoughts and appropriate illus
trations, which come to the aid of
the speaker when in good physical
health and with an active brain. But
if there is not in the beginning some
such fruitful thought and no previous
preparation, the speech, address, or
sermon will be poverty-stricken per-
Torrance all through, to the dismay of
the audience and the humiliation of
the speaker. If the beginning is i'm
portant, the close is equally important,
and requires definite plan. We have
often heard an admirable discourse
spoiled just at the close, the speaker
evidently not knowing how to end it,
and beating around for place to stop,
just as ship from contrary winds is
often long time in entering harbor.
The lesson from Mr.. Depew's speech
on Washington's birthday is one which
public speakers wouio do we'll to appro-
pirate. He had great occasion and a
great subject and he worthily discharged
the obligations which subject and occa-
sion demanded. No doubt Mr.. Depew
could have made stump speech of an
hour and half, making many popular
hits and convulsing his audience with
laughter. He chose the wiser course-to
write an address, and as he had not the
faculty Of memory at command, to read
it in an honest and straightforward
manner. The three elements of sue
cessful oratory ''the time, the occasion,
and the man, met and embraced each
other in Mr.. Depew's address at Gen.
trail Music Hall. We commend his ex-
ample to all aspiring orators. He
wisely put aside the temptation of ex-
temporaneous speech and gave us an adj
dress of which himself and the coun-
try may well be proud.