Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-10-16
SUGGESTIONS TO SPEAKERS.

The Latter-day saints are com
nunity Of speakers. Their main WORK
IL u teach. BY precept and by eA-
annie they are 20 convey 20 others the
truths which they have received
II might occasion embarrassment 10
noint out either the excelloncies or the
faults most apparent IN the discourses
Of some Of the many who address
congregations Of the people hut ie"
general observations win be urged for
the benefit OF the less experienced ones
who are coming before the people In
ever-increasing numbers
What il Is that causes some speakers
10 be interesting. instructive, inspira-
tionsi in the pulpit, while others are
oull. monotonous and even wearisome
10 their hearers. Is a question Of great
practical interest both 20 the preachers
and TO the congregations.
Pulpit power does not owe much TO
modes OF dress D. l.. Moodey great
lay preacher appeared in his gray
business suit. yet never lacked appreci-
alive audiences. while Dean Stanley
appeared In the Westminster chapel
wearing always the official garb, yet his
gown did not either limit his power
nor conceal his personal characteristics
il is clearly not the dress Of the speak
er that counts for much in pulpit ora
tory.
Neither is Il the subject matter
though this is always important Some
speakers unnecessarily present good
material while others make more of
matters far less vital or weighty. II
IL mostly the peculiar something called
personality.
People are not much moved today by
the addresses ~ those who seem far
removed or Ear above them. GER
tain familiarity IN manner is essential
To win the best sympathy OF the audi
enoe a speaker should above all he
perfectly natural. free from all affecta-
ton, and especially should he avoid
speaking in a professional tone
Public speaking Is dlgnlhed and
enlarged form OF conversation. II Is
conversation on high plane prompted
by lofty ideals. and arising immedi-
ateiy from a perception that these
ideals are greatly needed In the
thoughts and actions % the hearers
An essayist has said
Never is the deep strong voice Of
man OF the low. sweet voice Of woman
finer than In the earnest but mellow
tones OF familiar speech; richer THAI
the richest music. which are a delight
while they are heard which finger stil
upon the ear in softened echoes and
which when they have ceased come.
long after, back to memory like the
murmurs Of a distant hymn"
II Ia this familiarity that most effec-
lively reaches the hearts Of the hear
ers But the familiar conversational
tone does not mean a descent 10 trivi-
ality Humor in the pulpit should not
be frequent but commonsense is in
dispensable
The power OF the magnetic voice is
wonderful This IL the musical. firm.
and 'buoyant tone The thin. wavering,
or tired voice Is not effective But the
pleasing, ringing voice is often more
convincing than the best OF logic
Fullness Of knowledge ON the subject
under discussion generally gives I'M
usual power; for the confidence Of the
SPEAKER bVgots confidence iu the minds
of the hearers, and his words carry
conviction. Il Is IN this sense that
knowledge e. power
n person is run Of knowledge
on any subject or has experienced
some lesson making ordeal. he may be
able though In simple language. 20 hold
his hearers spellbound as n by a mir
aculous power. This attainment is By
mo means uncommon; az certain times
nearly every one possesses Il, and n
Il capable OF immense enlargement By
cultivation.
A Chicago preacher recommends 10
amateur pulpit speakers "a porusal OF
the life OF james Martlneau. OF VIM
Arthur's Tongue of Fire. Drummond's
Natural law In the Spiritual World.
and the GOSPEL and Episues OF John
a. the bost ne knows of for giving inox-
perienced or dry speakers the necessary
start in acquiring what Is called the
magnetic control over AN audience
-Four ihlngs, says this preacher. are
neoessary in a speaker. sincerity. SYM
metrY consistency naturalness. and
controlled energy Above an. as Il app
pears 20 No. he should back truth VITA
conviction. Unless a speaker thorough.
~ believes what be ls saying. his man
ner lacks oarncstncss and his words
fan 10 carry conviction
Beet of alL De should have come 90
an -.idcrsunding with Him whose
cause be represents whose truths he
b. seeking 20 promnlEatr He must
have tested Gods promises Tor him
SELF and found them true ana faithful.
then hc can without hesitation or res
rrNaiion recommend them 90 others
The true preacher must know him
self he must understand others. he
must De acquainted with tho Most
Hlgh. Ry self knowledge ne Is able 90
bring forth his highest convictions and
hopes by knowing others, he is ahle 10
enter sympatheticaly into their ideas
ana aspirations by knowing God he
can declare His viii with authority
and power
The oneciiNe preacher must have ex-
peHenced Opposition ana trial, be- must
AnpH the other ride. both OF NE and
argument he must be- familiar with the