SECTION XIX.

ON THE CHOICE OF SUBJECTS.

THE success of this sort of popular eloquence is infallible, when there is united a voice sufficiently strong to maintain its vehemence, and a taste sufficiently delicate to avoid its eccentricities.

Hence we draw this conclusion, that it is a great error to discard from the Gospel ministry those awful subjects which enkindle the imagination of the preacher, while they tend to arouse every conscience. Besides that religion is founded upon those awful truths which its ministers ought not to conceal, and which men are afraid to hear in proportion to their tendency to produce a conversion, I know no subjects which give a more ample scope to the art of oratory.

The Christian orator who is above enriching his compositions with them, renounces his greatest advantages.

But, while we present these objects of terror, we cannot be too strongly convinced that it would be better to leave sinners in supineness than to drive

time, and be esteemed altogether perfect by the vulgar, who are satisfied with his accomplishment, and know not in what he is defective, yet, whenever the true genius arises, he draws to him the attention of every one, and immediately appears superior to his rival."-HUME'S ESsays, Ess. xii.

them to despair; that this is not so much to reach the end as to exceed all abounds; that the Gospel is a law of love, and not a code of wrath; that men are naturally so weak that their faults ought to excite more compassion than anger; that a preacher is not the minister of the vengeance of Heaven, but the dispenser of its mercies; that instead of repelling sinners, it is proper to affect, to win, to reclaim them through fear to love; and to attemper the rigour of the law with the attraction of the rewards of the Gospel. Yes, it would be doubtless too severe only to announce threatenings to men who need continually to be encouraged and consoled.

Make choice of affecting subjects, which lay hold of, and interest the man and the Christian. Be scrupulous about choosing those confined subjects which circumscribe the orator within too narrow bounds, which are connected with no moral precept, or which make a part of all discourses on morality. Avoid frivolous subjects, whose surface appears showy, but which, when we attempt to search into them, only present us with particulars too insignificant and slender for eloquence: such as treat of matters of decorum rather than of duty; such as suggest materials for a letter rather than grounds for a sermon. Avoid quaint subjects, which are improper for the multitude, merely serving the orator himself for a pompous, declamation, in which the human heart can take no interest; philosophical and abstract subjects, equally remote from religion

and eloquence, and more adapted to the Portico or the Lyceum than to the Gospel pulpit; those subjects, in a word, which, though they may have the appearance of being novel and animating, are really far-fetched and affected, and in which a discovery is made, not so much of genius as of the want of it.

Many good subjects still remain for Christian orators to invent or revive. But there is no need to search for them, when they do not happen to present themselves naturally to the mind, as by an involuntary inspiration.

Begin with studying the prevailing bent of your genius; and, after having tried your strength on different subjects of argument, imagination, or sentiment, constantly follow that sort which is most peculiarly your own, and which nature itself hath destined for you.

Be not afraid of going in beaten tracks. A fertile orator always discovers new treasures in old mines. Wherefore should we hesitate to enter afresh upon those subjects which have been already successfully handled? Is it because our great masters have laid hold of all their most striking beauties, and that in draining those fields, formerly so fruitful, they have changed them into barren deserts?

Let us here be candid. If we were unacquainted with those lucid plans, those original ideas, which we so justly admire in their writings, should we have conceived them of ourselves? The superiority

of the models ought to enkindle our emulation instead of damping our courage.

If Bossuet, Bourdaloue, Massillon were to return upon earth, think we that their genius would be so fettered by their former masterly performances as to be incapable of fresh productions? or that these immortal orators would not, even at this day, have been equal to themselves? Exert your talents and zeal! The subjects which seem to be exhausted will immediately receive new life; and the orator who can even now acquire originality after these primitive men, shall participate their renown through all ages.

SECTION XX.

OF PANEGYRICS.

WHEREFORE Should we suppose that we could suceeed better in eloquence by making choice of subjects less known, when we so seldom observe distinguished success in the species of panegyric: a road which even the masters of the art have not hitherto travelled with that eclat which they have acquired in delivering doctrinal and moral discourses?* The new subjects in this branch of eloquence

* In this opinion the author is at variance with the almost universal judgment of mankind, in respect, at least, to one great orator. Bossuet's sermons generally are much less admired than his panegyrical discourses. "His genius," says Hallam, "by universal confession, never

which remain for Christian orators to handle, do not infallibly suggest to their minds the most eloquent orations. This remark proves that not new subjects, but new ideas, are wanting in order to excel in the art of oratory.

Nothing, however, is more adapted to inflame the imagination than the praise bestowed by the sacred ministry on those Christian heroes, whose examples do credit to our religion while they condemn our behaviour.

If it be an excellent and pleasing sight to behold persons assembled in a church in order to their being instructed in all the duties of religion, it is also, without doubt, a very noble institution to have al

shone higher than in the six which bear the name of Oraisons Funèbres. In that style of eloquence which the ancients call demonstrative, or, rather, descriptive (επideIKTIKOS), the style of panegyric or commemoration, they are doubtless superior to those justly celebrated productions of Thucydides and Plato that have descended to us from Greece; nor has Bossuet been equalled by any later writer." The most eminent ancient orators were also successful in panegyric. This was the case with Lysias, Isocrates, and even with Demosthenes, if he be the author of that oration belonging to this branch of eloquence which is usually ascribed to him. Though his genius was less suited to this style, and this particular specimen, composed when his fortunes were at their worst, falls far below some of his efforts, it is still conformed in every respect to the canons of the art, and bearing any other name would be much admired.-Am. Ed.