6 INFLUENCE OF TOINES. 



fails, not for want of power to express his emotions, but because he has 

 none to express. There is much truth in the answer of Red Jacket, the 

 Indian Chief, when called a warrior: "A warrior!" said he, "1 am an 

 orator. I was born an orator." Oratory has its residence in the soul. 

 It is the offspring of deep emotion. 



The rate of utterance will usually indicate the strength of the feel- 

 ings. Strong emotions pour themselves forth in eruptions. "Robert 

 Hall," it is said, "in his vehement passages would utter forty words in 

 a breath, with a velocity that no short-hand writer could catch." Some 

 men habituate themselves to speaking fast; in such cases the rapidity of 

 utterance is no proper test of feeling. 



No orator was ever more perfectly natural in his delivery than Pat- 

 rick Henry, and the most common thoughts when uttered by him, had 

 freshness, vividness, and power. Henry was once walking in company 

 with a friend in the suburbs of Richmond, at the time of a great drought. 

 "It is very dry," said his friend. "It is very dry," reiterated Henry, with 

 an intonation and an emphasis so peculiar and forcible, that his friend 

 felt as if the earth was about to be burned up with fervent heat. 



Whitefield was once preaching on Hhe wrath to comeP Addressing 

 himself to the impenitent, he said, "O the wrath to come ! the wrath to 

 come ! !" His audience were completely overpowered. This single 

 exclamation, uttered as he uttered it, was sufficient to thrill and melt 

 every heart. 



Without extending my remarks or multiplying my illustrations, we 

 may conclude, then, that when the thoughts come "warm from the heart 

 and faithful to its tires," the tones of voice will instinctively be natural 

 and impressive. 



The thoughts Avhich have been presented may suggest the import- 

 ance of delivery. A good elocution increases our influence over our 

 fellow-men. It is an instrument of tremendous power. The vulgar 

 look on an orator as a supernatural being, And yet there are many 

 public speakers who have good thoughts, and a good style, but their 

 influence is very limited and feeble, because their elocution is bad. And 

 the reason of this defect in most cases is, not that the organs of speech 

 are wanting, or are imperfect, but due care has not been used in their 

 cultivation. I know not how it is with gentlemen of the legal profes- 

 sion, but many ministers seem averse to giving much attention to elo- 

 cution, because, as they say, truth alone is the instrument of God in 

 saving men. Paul may plant, and Apollos may vvater; but tlie increase 

 can come only from God. But is it not the preacher's business to com- 

 municate truth, and iuipress it on his hearers r Is not preaching the di- 



