The different kinds of public sdeaking in use among the moderns, compared, &c.

dividuals, there is commonly here a much better handle for rousing the passions, than that enjoyed by the preacher. How much advantage Demosthenes drew' from the known character and insidious arts of Philip king of Macedon, for influencing the resolves of the Athenians, and other Grecian states, those who are acquainted with the Philippics of the orator, and the history of that period, will be very sensible. In what concerns the pleasing affections, the preacher may sometimes, not often, avail himself of real human characters, as in funeral sermons, and in discourses on the patterns of virtue given us by our Saviour, and by those saints of whom we have the history in the sacred code. But such examples are comparatively few.

SECT. IV....In regard to the occasion.

THE fourth circumstance mentioned as a ground of comparison, in the particular occasion of speaking. And in this I think it evident, that both the pleader and the senator have the advantage of the preacher. When any important cause comes to be tried before a civil judicatory, or when any important question comes to be agitated in either house of parliament, as the point to be discussed hath generally, for some time before, been a topic of conversation in most companies, perhaps throughout the kingdom, (which of itself is sufficient to give consequence to any thing)

people are apprized before-hand of the particular day fixed for the discussion. Accordingly, they come prepared with some knowledge of the case, a persuasion of its importance, and a curiosity which sharpens their attention, and assists both their understanding and their memory.

MEN go to church without any of these advantages. The subject of the sermon is not known to the congregation, till the minister announce it just as he begins, by reading the text. Now, from our experience of human nature, we may be sensible, that whatever be the comparative importance of the things themselves, the generality of men cannot here be wrought up in an instant, to the like anxious curiosity about what is to be said, nor can they be so well prepared for hearing it. It may indeed be urged, in regard to those subjects which come regularly to be discussed at stated times, as on public festivals, as well as in regard to assize-sermons, charity-sermons, and other occasional discourses, that these must be admitted as exceptions. Perhaps in some degree they are, but not altogether; for, first, the precise point to be arged, or proposition to be evinced, is very rarely known. The most that we can say is, that the subject will have relation (sometimes remote enough) to such an article of faith, or to the obligations we lie under to the practice of such a duty. But further, if the topic were ever so well known, the frequent recurrence of such occasions, once a-year at least, hath

The different kinds of public speaking in use among the moderns, compared, &c.

long familiarized us to them, and, by destroying their novelty, hath abated exceedingly of the ardour which ariseth in the mind for hearing a discussion, conceived to be of importance, which one never heard before, and probably never will have access to hear again.

I SHALL here take notice of another circumstance, which, without great stretch, may be classed under this article, and which likewise gives some advantage to the counsellor and the senator. It is the opposition and contradiction which they expect to meet with. Opponents sharpen one another, as iron sharpeneth iron. There is not the same spur either to exertion in the speaker, or to attention in the hearer, where there is no conflict, where you have no adversary to encounter on equal terms. Mr Bickerstaff would have made but small progress in the science of defence, by pushing at the human figure which he had chalked upon the wall *, in comparison of what he might have made by the help of a fellow-combatant of flesh and blood. I do not, however, pretend, that these cases are entirely parallel. The whole of an adversary's plea may be perfectly known, and may, to the satisfaction of every reasonable persön, be perfectly confuted, though he hath not been heard by counsel at the bar.

* Tatler.

Sect. V.

In regard to the end in view.

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SECT. V....In regard to the end in view.

THE fifth and last particular mentioned, and indeed the most important of them all, is the effect in each species intended to be produced. The primary intention of preaching is the reformation of mankind. "The grace of God, that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world *." Reformation of life and manners-of all things that which is the most difficult by any means whatever to effectuate; I may add, of all tasks ever attempted by persuasion, that which has the most frequently baffled its power.

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WHAT is the task of any other orator compared with this? It is really as nothing at all, and hardly deserves to be named. An unjust judge, gradually worked on by the resistless force of human eloquence, may be persuaded, against his inclination, perhaps against a previous resolution, to pronounce an equitable sentence. All the effect on him, intended by the pleader, was merely momentary. The orator

hath had the address to employ the time allowed him, in such a manner as to secure the happy moment. Notwithstanding this, there may be no real change

* Tit. ii, 11, 12.

The different kinds of public speaking in use among the moderns, compared, &c.

wrought upon the judge. He may continue the same obdurate wretch he was before. Nay, if the sentence had been delayed but a single day after hearing the cause, he would perhaps have given a very different award.

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Is it to be wondered at, that when the passions of the people were agitated by the persuasive powers of a Demosthenes, whilst the thunder of his eloquence was yet sounding in their ears, the orator should be absolute master of their resolves? But an apostle or evangelist, (for there is no anachorism in a bare supposition) might have thus addressed the, celebrated Athenian, "You do, indeed, succeed to admiration, "and the address and genius which you display in speaking, justly entitle you to our praise. But, however great the consequences may be of the measures to which, by your eloquence, they are determined, the change produced in the people is nothing, or next to nothing. If you would be ascer"tained of the truth of this, allow the assembly to disperse immediately after hearing you; give them "time to cool, and then collect their votes, and it is "a thousand to one, you shall find that the charm is dissolved. But very different is the purpose of the "Christian orator. It is not a momentary, but a permanent effect at which he aims.

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mediate and favourable suffrage,

It is not an im

but a thorough

change of heart and disposition, that will satisfy his view. That man would need to be possessed