ROBERT BOYLE'S POWER AS AN ORATOR. 25 



fitted for the service of missionaries on the rivers of the 

 West Coast of Africa. 



The religious ceremonies and customs of India had been 

 illustrated at the Royal Polytechnic, London, by a very 

 beautiful collection of views, and, an opportunity being 

 afforded to purchase them, Robert Boyle at once secured 

 these valuable and attractive aids to the work of instruc- 

 tion. His lecture on this subject was one of the most 

 popular he ever delivered, and bore good fruit in directing 

 .attention to the moral, social, and religious position of 

 millions of human beings in the bondage of ignorance and 

 cruel superstitions. 



The success of this lecture, as indeed of all his efforts on 

 the platform, was in no small measure enhanced by his 

 earnestness, the natural dignity of his demeanour, and a 

 force of character which gleamed through every movement 

 of his features. He possessed a power of the eye and voice 

 which chained the attention of his audience. 



Remembering how great an influence he possessed over 

 the minds of thousands who attended his lectures, it is 

 almost to be regretted that he had not selected the pulpit 

 for his special work in life. Had he done so he would have 

 been a very famous preacher, for ready wit, great per- 

 suasive power, and intense earnestness were prominent 

 characteristics of his oratory. 



