Part 4 (2/2)

Little wonder, therefore, that his amazing eloquence was described as a resistless torrent.

_Luther_

Martin Luther was the dominating orator of the Reformation. He combined a strong physique with great intellectual power. ”If I wish to compose, or write, or pray, or preach well,” said he, ”I must be angry. Then all the blood in my veins is stirred, my understanding is sharpened, and all dismal thoughts and temptations are dissipated.” What the great Reformer called ”anger,” we would call indignation or earnestness.

_John Knox_

John Knox, the Scotch reformer, was a preeminent preacher. His pulpit style was characterized by a fiery eloquence which stirred his hearers to great enthusiasm and sometimes to violence.

_Bossuet_

Bossuet, regarded as the greatest orator France has produced, was a fearless and inspired speaker. His style was dignified and deliberate, but as he warmed with his theme his thought took fire and he carried his hearers along upon a swiftly moving tide of impa.s.sioned eloquence. When he spoke from the text, ”Be wise, therefore, O ye Kings! be instructed, ye judges of the earth!” the King himself was thrilled as with a religious terror.

To ripe scholars.h.i.+p Bossuet added a voice that was deep and sonorous, an imposing personality, and an animated style of gesture. Lamartine described his voice as ”like that of the thunder in the clouds, or the organ in the cathedral.”

_Bourdaloue_

Louis Bourdaloue, styled ”the preacher of Kings, and the King of preachers,” was a speaker of versatile powers. He could adapt his style to any audience, and ”mechanics left their shops, merchants their business, and lawyers their court house” in order to hear him. His high personal character, simplicity of life, and clear and logical utterance combined to make him an accomplished orator.

_Ma.s.sillon_

Ma.s.sillon preached directly to the hearts of his hearers. He was of a deeply affectionate nature, hence his style was that of tender persuasiveness rather than of declamation. He had remarkable spiritual insight and knowledge of the human heart, and was himself deeply moved by the truths which he proclaimed to other men.

_Lord Chatham_

Lord Chatham's oratorical style was formed on the cla.s.sic model. His intellect, at once comprehensive and vigorous, combined with deep and intense feeling, fitted him to become one of the highest types of orators. He was dignified and graceful, sometimes vehement, always commanding. He ruled the British parliament by sheer force of eloquence.

His voice was a wonderful instrument, so completely under control that his lowest whisper was distinctly heard, and his full tones completely filled the House. He had supreme self-confidence, and a sense of superiority over those around him which acted as an inspiration to his own mind.

_Burke_

Burke was a great master of English prose as well as a great orator. He took large means to deal with large subjects. He was a man of immense power, and his stride was the stride of a giant. He has been credited with pa.s.sion, intensity, imagination, n.o.bility, and amplitude. His style was sonorous and majestic.

_Sheridan_

Sheridan became a foremost parliamentary speaker and debater, despite early discouragements. His well-known answer to a friend, who adversely criticized his speaking, ”It is in me, and it shall come out of me!” has for years given new encouragement to many a student of public speaking.

He applied himself with untiring industry to the development of all his powers, and so became one of the most distinguished speakers of his day.

_Charles James Fox_

Charles James Fox was a plain, practical, forceful orator of the thoroughly English type. His qualities of sincerity, vehemence, simplicity, ruggedness, directness and dexterity, combined with a manly fearlessness, made him a formidable antagonist in any debate. Facts, a.n.a.logies, ill.u.s.trations, intermingled with wit, feeling, and ridicule, gave charm and versatility to his speaking unsurpa.s.sed in his time.

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