Oratory Sacred And Secular Or The Extemporaneous Speaker Introduction By Hon J Bingham PDF Download

"He brings to his work a mind matured by years of experience in the very field of which he treats." -The Round Table "A clear and succinct Exposition of the Rules and Methods of practice by which Readiness of Thought may be acquired, and an acceptable style both in composition and gesture obtained." -The American Phrenological Journal and Life When we first began to speak in public, we felt the need of a manual that would point out the hindrances likely to be met with, and serve as a guide to self-improvement. Such help would have prevented many difficult and painful experiences, and have rendered our progress in the delightful art of coining thought into words more easy and rapid. In the following pages we give the result of thought and observations in this field, and trust it will benefit those who are now in the position we were then. We have freely availed ourself of the labor of others, and would especially acknowledge the valuable assistance derived from the writings of Bautain, Stevens and Holyoake. Yet the following work, with whatever merit or demerit it may possess, is original in both thought and arrangement. We have treated general preparation with more than ordinary fullness, for although often neglected, it is the necessary basis upon which all special preparation rests. As the numerous varieties of speech differ in comparatively few particulars, we have treated one of the most common--that of preaching--in detail, with only such brief notices of other forms as will direct the student in applying general principles to the branch of oratory that engages his attention. PREFACE.--Objects of the Work stated INTRODUCTION--By Hon. John A. Bingham, Member of Congress PART I.--GENERAL PREPARATIONS. CHAPTER I. The Written and Extempore Discourse Compared--Illustrative Examples CHAPTER II. Prerequisites--Intellectual Competency; Strength of Body; Command of Language; Courage; Firmness; Self-reliance CHAPTER III. Basis of Speech--Thought and Emotion; Heart Cultivation; Earnestness CHAPTER IV. Acquirements--General Knowledge; of Bible; of Theology; of Men; Method by which such Knowledge may be obtained CHAPTER V. Cultivation--Imagination; Language; Voice; Gesture; Confidence; References to Distinguished Orators and Writers. PART II.--A SERMON. CHAPTER I. The Foundation for a Preacher--Subject; Object; Text; Hints to Young Preachers CHAPTER II. The Plan--Gathering Thought; Arranging; Committing; Practical Suggestions; Use of Notes CHAPTER III. Preliminaries for Preaching--Fear; Vigor; Opening Exercises; Requisites for a Successful Discourse CHAPTER IV. The Divisions--Introduction, Difficulties in Opening; Discussion, Simplicity and Directness; Conclusion CHAPTER V. After Considerations--Success; Rest; Improvement; Practical Suggestions PART III.--SECULAR ORATORY. CHAPTER I. Instructive Address--Fields of Oratory; Oral Teaching; Lecturing CHAPTER II. Miscellaneous Address--Deliberative; Legal; Popular; Controversial; the Statesman; the Lawyer; the Lecturer; the Orator PART IV. Eminent Speakers Described--St. Augustine; Luther; Lord Chatham; William Pitt; Edmund Burke; Mirabeau; Patrick Henry; George Whitefield; John Wesley; Sidney Smith; F. W. Robertson; Henry Clay; Henry B. Bascom; John Summerfield; C. H. Spurgeon; Henry Ward Beecher; Anna E. Dickinson; John A. Bingham; William E. Gladstone; Matthew Simpson; Wendell Phillips; John P. Durbin; Newman Hall, and others APPENDIX. The Chairman's Guide--How to Organize and Conduct Public Meetings and Debating Clubs in Parliamentary style