22 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



I afterwards met him at the house of Dr. Pope. We were 

 introduced, but he, although a polite gentleman, addressed 

 no remark to me, nor did I to him. 



Mr. Silliman felt that the time had come for him 

 to cease from these exciting efforts in public, which 

 required a greater strength of voice than he could 

 longer command. He adds to the record some in- 

 teresting reflections. 



March 1, 1862. I may be allowed to record my own 

 views of the spirit in which these labors were undertaken, 

 and have been successfully performed. Of course the first 

 requisite in a public speaker is that he himself understands 

 the subject which he proposes to explain ; the second, that 

 a transparent perspicuity shall enable every intelligent and 

 attentive hearer to comprehend his teachings ; and a third, 

 that a vivid animation should excite the speaker, and thus 

 warm the hearer. 



These traits will appear, if the speaker, being a person 

 of competent mental power, has been happy in the choice 

 of his subject, has studied it faithfully, and arranged it skil- 

 fully ; and moreover, if he speaks under a strong conviction 

 of the truth and importance of that which he propounds, 

 then perspicuity, truthfulness, and vivacity, will arrest and 

 secure his audience. 



These are the views by which I have been governed. 

 It is not for me to say that I have reached the standard 

 which I have proposed ; but the successful results of the 

 labors of twenty-three years, in communities widely different 

 in mental culture and geographical position, justify me in 

 saying that I have zealously put forth my best efforts. 



I have been deeply impressed with the high responsibility 

 of my position in the labors which I have performed. A 

 responsibility, first, to the infinite Creator for the sincere 

 and truthful investigation and exhibition of the laws of that 



