Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

pie to speak, his hearers intuitively felt
there was strange, a superhuman and
divine power about him. When the
true Christian orator arises to speak,
then also this strange influence is felt.
The same divine influence that Christ
had over an audience you and I may
have In degree II we will only let the
Holy Spirit work in US and through us,
for Christ distinctly says that the very
works he did we may do II we Will
only let the Holy Spirit live in rs.
"a Christian orator" some one says
what does that mean? n truly give
myself up to the Holy Spirit. can be-
come great speaker and address great
audiences? Why, have not the voice.
I have not the physical strength. In
one sense I have not the education. I
could not stand before a multitude Of
people II I tried" No, not that. I do
not believe God will ever call you to be
a Spurgeon. a Guthrie, a Beeoher or q
Mason. Not that. I do not believe, week
in ana week out. you will be called up
on to All an auditorium with formal
sermon. But you can be great orator
for Christ nevertheless. Did you ever
stop to think that public speaking isonly
public conversation on big scale?
The other dag I was talking to an
old man who used to be a student Of
the great Dr. Eliphalet Mott Of UnioH
college. One day in the oratorial
class a student arose to speak. He
began to let out his voice IN rotund
style. He dramatically lifted his arms
and twitched his eyebrows when Or.
Mott stopped him and said: MY son,
that ia not oratory. II you have some.
thing to say, Just tell It to % as you
would II there were only three Of uS
alone in a room. Public speaking ia
only public conversation on big
scale" Don't you grasp the truth? BY
the law Of Christian oratory you may
never be called upon to address large
audience at once, but you can address,
two or three hearers for Christ at thu
breakfast table. You can address q
neighbor for Christ in the street car
going down to business. You can
speak for Christ in the prayer meeting
and In the Sunday school. You can be.
come an exponent Of the subEmast or.
atory Of the world, the gospel oratory.
by which the Holy spirtt works in
you and through you IN conversation.
VIII you consecrate an eloquent tongue
to the divine Master2
gust tell IT," says DR.. Mott. II you
have anything to say for Christ BY the
Holy Spirit power. will You rot Just
tell It? My father once +otd me that the
f1rst great orator he ever heard was
Theodore Frelinghuysen Of New Jer-
sey. He was an intellectual giant-sen-
ator. chancellor OF the Universsky Of
New York. Whig candidate for the vice
presidency in 1874 and president Of
Rutgers college His fame was nation
al and International. MY father said 4:
"Of course I expected to see and to
hear a perfect whirlwind Of oratoFy.
but great was my surprise when Theo-
dore Frelinghuysen quietly arose IN
that New Jersey courtroom. He placed
his foot upon the rung Of the chair.
Then he commenced to talk to the jury
in a simple, earnest way. as you or
might talk in private parlor. But he
won his case 1t WINS the finest piece OF
vuiet cratory to -hich ever listened
He had something to say. and he said
IT," Yes, you may not be a speaker to
1000 auditors. but you can have an au
. dience Of two. three. Ave. ten, twelve
hearers. fou can have as great an au
dience for Christ as Theodore Breling
huysen had in that New Jersey jury
box for his client II you have any
thing to say for Christ. will you say it
.. Will you speak it for Christ by thu
power of the Holy Spirit working II
> you and through you in sublime gos
. pei oratory?
tCopyrisht. 1905. by Louis Kiopsehl