him, will be sitting in an agony of nervousness lest he should " come to a stand-still;" if for this reason only, it would seem advisable therefore, to begin extempore preaching by carefully preparing the conclusion of a sermon. The preacher "coming to a stand-still" will then be an event by no means so much dreaded by the congregation; and the feeling that he can conclude at any moment will of itself give him confidence; besides which he will then be more full of his subject, and therefore more earnest and natural.

I quite allow that this plan has its disadvantages, which, if not understood, may discourage a man at the very outset. Nothing is more difficult than suddenly to cease from reading the pages of a written composition and to commence speaking—the former must be more or less mechanical, while the latter requires the whole mind to be concentrated on the subject in hand. Thus I suppose the best speakers can hardly interpolate a written sermon with occasional short extempore periods, still less could they alter its subject as they go on; the possessing such power would be the best proof of a man having a real gift for extempore speaking. And yet how many clergymen, who read their sermons week after week, will tell you that they often introduce any matter which strikes them at the moment. Truly, may we say, that if in our country villages there are many 66 mute inglorious Miltons," in our country parsonages there are many "mute inglorious" Chrysostoms!

It is the fact of most men having experienced the great difficulty of thus interpolating their written sermons with extempore matter that prevents them attempting extempore speaking altogether. Every speaker would tell them that the first three minutes during which he thus speaks cost him a greater mental effort than the whole half hour or more which succeeds. It is the getting under weigh which is difficult. What must it be, then, when a man has to begin some half-dozen times, as he does when he is altering a sermon as he goes on? In favour of thus concluding a sermon without reference to a manuscript, we might also argue, on the old adage, that "all's well that ends well," and that an earnest practical exhortation will bring home the main part of the subject which might before have been little appreciated by his hearers. Those who have ever adopted this plan will understand the effect which the change from reading to speaking irresistibly produces upon a congregation; the instantly riveted attention, and the silence of expectation, showing that the first point towards making some impression upon them has thus been gained. Another advantage of this method is, that it allows a man to begin extempore speaking gradually; he need only speak for two or three minutes after he ceases reading, or he may go on to any length which time and circumstances admit.

Again, this plan will be found more especially useful to those who, from having to prepare two or

more sermons every week, feel it to the advantage of their congregation that they should make more or less use of any published sermons which they may have by them. In reading such there must always be a certain amount of formality and coldness, the effects of which will be greatly counteracted by the preacher summing up the whole subject in his own words, bringing it home to his hearers by a plain, earnest appeal, and thus enforcing, and practically applying, that which would else have fallen heavily and without point upon his hearers.

In venturing thus to urge those who have but recently entered into Holy Orders not to allow the first difficulties which lie in their path to prevent their making a resolute effort to acquire this most valuable of all aids in their ministerial work, I cannot but remind them how amply the labour of one or two years will be repaid through a whole lifetime; their labour will not only be eventually lightened, but will be productive of an infinitely greater amount of good. In the actual preparation of sermons the labour will be lightened, because it will enable them to make use of these same sermons without the least fear of their losing effect by repetition; and yet the labour of preparing them again will be very slight, resolving itself into merely reading them over and thinking out some portions with care and accuracy.

This will be of infinite assistance to them, either

at a season when their services are increased, or when they may be called upon to address those who do not form a part of their regular congregation.

It would, however, be impossible to enumerate the advantages to himself and to others which may accrue from a clergyman's being able, on all occasions, whether in season or out of season, to speak forcibly and to the point. I can only ask whether the magnitude of the advantage ought not to make us all feel that we have scarcely done our duty until we have tried every available means of acquiring this power, and can certify to our own consciences that the want of it is to be attributed to positive incapacity on our own part, and not to any want of diligence or perseverance in the study of it. Let it only be remembered that the gift of speech is a talent committed to the Christian minister's charge to occupy for his Master's service, and then, if we refuse to use every available means of improving that talent, we cannot escape the conclusion that in that particular we must be counted as unprofitable servants.

D

CHAPTER V.

Demosthenes" neither wrote the whole of his orations, nor spoke without committing part to writing."-PLUt. MAN is now supposed to have invested a capital of some months' or even years' labour, the returns of which will, we are

convinced, under any circumstances,

amply repay him; but though the actual power of speaking may have been thus acquired, the preparation for each particular exercise of it will still involve a considerable amount of labour; and anyone who may have been induced to take up the study in order to save himself trouble will probably be greatly disappointed in the results which he obtains.

The plan now suggested is to write the so-called extempore sermon, and to study it carefully previous to its delivery. The main objection will be the time that would necessarily have to be given up to carrying this into effect. Supposing a man has one or two sermons to preach every week, to the same congregation, can he, without neglecting parish work, find time not only for the actual amount of writing required and for the reading necessary to keep pace