This lecture was delivered to ministers who had been educated at the Pastors’ College as well as to students, hence certain differences of expression.
From “Chambers’ Book of Days” we borrow the following note: — “Mrs. Oliphant, in her ‘Life of the Rev. Edward Irving,’ states that he had been on some occasions clearly heard at the distance of half-a-mile.
It has been alleged, however, that Black John Russell, of Kilmarnock, celebrated by Burns in no gracious terms, was heard, though not perhaps intelligibly, at the distance of a full mile. It would appear that even this is not the utmost stretch of the phenomenon. A correspondent of the Jameson’s Journal, in 1828, states that, being at the west; end of Dumferline, he overheard part of a sermon then delivering at a tent at Cairneyhill by Dr. Black: he did not miss a word, ‘though the distance must be something about two miles:’ the preacher has, perhaps, seldom been surpassed for distinct speaking and a clear voice: ‘ and the wind, which was steady and moderate, came in the direction of the sound.’“ Ft3 Chironomia; or, a Treatise on Rhetorical Delivery: comprehending many precepts, both ancient and modern, for the proper regulation of the Voice, the Countenance, and Gesture, and a new method for the notation thereof; illustrated by many figures. By the Reverend Gilbert Austin A.M. London. 1806. [Quarto.] A System of Christian Rhetoric for the Use of Preachers and other Speakers. By George Winfred Hervey, M.A. Houlston aria Sons, 1873. Pulpit Elocution: comprising Remarks on the Effect of Manner in Public Discourse; title Elements of Elocution, applied to the reading of Scripture, Hymns, and Sermons; with observations on the Principles of Gesture; aria a Selection of Exercises in Reading and Speaking. By William Russell, with an Introduction, by Edwards A. Park, D.D., and Rev. Edward N. Kirk. Andover [U.S.A.]. 1853. M. L’.Abbe Isidore Mullois, in his work, “The Clergy and the Pulpit in their Relations to the People.” Dr. Wardlaw on Proverb..
