Thursday, October 22, 2020

John Nicholson, "Hints on Preaching" in The Preceptor (1885)

 

John Nicholson (1830-1909), in his 1885 work, published by the Deseret News Company aimed at young men within the Church, offered the following tips on how to preach. I thought it would be useful to others, as the advice he gives for young Elders on preaching would work well even today in 2020 for all members of the Church on the “how-tos” of speaking at Church (and other public settings):

 

 

HINTS ON PREACHING

 

The effect of preaching, especially that of inexperienced Elders, is frequently marred by defects of delivery which would, in most instances, be obviated by though and attention. It is always easier to get rid of a defect in the earlier stages of experience, than when it becomes more or less a confirmed habit.

 

I submit the following hints, in the hope that they may prove of some benefit:

 

1. Do not shut your eyes, nor look at the ceiling. In other words, do not look away from, but squarely at your audience. Consider your congregation an individualism that you wish to bring to your way of thinking.

 

2. If you are predisposed to be aggressive, cultivate a persuasive manner. The former style often brings needless opposition, and while it may convince the intellect of the listener, seldom, if ever, wins the heart.

 

3. Without paying too much attention to gesture and elocution, it is well to suit the action to the word and the word to the action, and throw special force into those phrases containing the leading points you wish to convey.

 

4. Never imitate the style and manner of another speaker, however excellent may by be the model. Be natural and adhere to your own style, because it is natural. No other is adapted to you, any more than another man’s nose would be adapted to your style of face.

 

5. Pay attention to accentuation. Pronounce every word clearly and distinctly before beginning to utter another. Each word should be a well defined entity, not merged into another. What might be termed the confluent type of public speaking—the words running into one another in assort of mass—is one to be strictly avoided.

 

6. In beginning to address an audience, assume an easy attitude and avoid hurry, which leads to confusion and failure. Rapid utterance is a common fault of young speakers, as with young swimmers—a few quick, excited strokes, and down they go.

 

7. The first consideration in the successful preaching of the Gospel is to obtain, by a godly life and through prayer and faith; the Spirit of the Lord, without which no man will possess power for good.

 

8. It is of great importance to have the mind stored with the principles of truth, that you may have something to say. Those who imagine the Spirit will do everything for them will be disappointed. The chief office of the Spirit is to aid the Elder in his search for knowledge, bring what he has learned to his memory, when occasion requires, and give him freedom and facility of utterance. The Lord does not place a premium upon indolence. You cannot draw water out of a dry wall. Neither will intelligence and truth be brought forth from an empty mind. Study and reflect; fill your mind with knowledge. The Spirit will do the rest.

 

9. Be in earnest. Feel the importance of the message you bear. Show your earnestness in the vigor of your speech. Do not mumble and mutter, but speak right out, always sufficiently loud for all your audience to hear you distinctly. You will never convince others of the correctness of any matter regarding which you appear, by your manner or otherwise to be in some doubt yourself.

 

10. Never speak upon subjects you do not clearly understand. You can never make plain to others what is not clear to yourself. Let mysteries alone.

 

11. Do not endeavor to be a florid speaker. Your chief aim should be clearness and simplicity the object being to convey to others your own sincere convictions. Use the simplest words that will correctly define your meaning. There may be persons in your congregation who would not understand the more unusual words; therefore, when simple language is used, it will always be comprehended by the greatest possible number. Besides, there is beauty in simplicity.

 

12. Many men with good natural abilities for public speaking fail from being unable to control their feelings while before an audience. School yourself to be collected, and never let your language get ahead of your ideas. In other words, do not force your ideas to conform to your language; your language must conform to your ideas. Always speak to an idea, thought or truth as it may be brought to your mind by the Spirit. Give the Spirit time to suggest, and utter the thoughts as they present themselves. Do not be in haste to sit down until you are certain the spirit will not come to your aid.

 

13. Do not speak for the purpose of gaining the applause of men. If you do you will not obtain much aid from the Spirit of the Lord. Let your aim be to please God, and take your chance as to your efforts pleasing men; at the same time always avoid being unnecessarily offensive to your fellow creatures.

 

14. When you succeed in preaching with freedom, by the aid of the Spirit of Truth, do not afterwards feed your vanity in fishing for compliments by asking people how they liked your discourse. Cultivate a spirit of humility and give God the glory. If you do you will not meet with disappointment, for not only the Lord, but clearsighted men and women will observe your weakness.

 

15. Avoid the too common habit of finishing and beginning several times over during your discourse. No one who does this can retain the full sympathy and patience of an audience. When a congregation has obtained an impression that a speaker is about to wind up his remarks, and he starts off anew, the effect is generally unfavourable. (John Nicholson, The Preceptor: Being a Simple System for Enabling Young Men to Acquire a Knowledge of the Doctrines of the Gospel and the Ability to Preach Them [2d ed.; Salt Lake City: Deseret News Company, Printers and Publishers, 1885], 105-110)