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disposition to undervalue his excellent discourse , on a subject of the highest importance 5 and which he has treated in a banner highly creditable to his head and his heart . I hope that he will in future ijfe I wish that all young- men of his
rank and station would—be careful lo perform his duty to his country an-d mankind , on such enlarged and liberal principles . But since the rest of our youngfriends who have favoured us with specimens of their composition , are students for the ministry , I trust that he will excuse my confining * , what I have further to say to
them . From the very satisfactory result of this day ' s examination , more parti eulaily , we trust we have good reason to indulg-e the hope , that we shall continue to send out scribes well instructed as to the kingdom of heaven , and capable of bringing- out of
their treasure things new and old . The stores of biblical criticism which you have here laid up , will not we trust , be hoarded , but brought out into daily use . You will not only shew yourselves capable , as several of your predecessors have done , of ably illustrating * the doctrines of scripture , and with firmness and ability , but
yet with a spirit and temper becomingyour cliristian profession , defending * the particular views which you have formed of scripture-truth ; but you will manifest your familiar acquaintance with scripture in the course of your ordinary services : in your addresses to your people , you will
shew yourselves not mere philosophical essayists , but scriptural preachers ; you will preach the truth in scripture-language , "expressing * spiritual tiling's in spiritual words" - ( 1 Cor . ii . 13 ) , aud will enforce the truths and duties of the
gospel by the awful authority of its sanctions . Let rne , however , offer you one caution . * ou here have properly exhibited the solidity of your critical attainments ; but , I trust you will shew in the general course ° » your preaching that your acquaintance w » th the scriptures in a much more important respect , has not been neglected by your readiness to » call them into your ser-VJ ce , as occasions may require , for the Purpose of practical application . What a ^ nerable person once said to myself , allow , t 0 repeat to you , " study the scriptures scientificall y , study them critically , but ab « « H things study them practicall . "
, y With res pect to the composition of your ^ courses , I have little need to add any hin ^ to the excellent instructions you have received from your tutors , and by * wch you seem to have effectually profitp- One question only I would venture j > propose to your consideration ; whether ** modern fashion of abrupt conclusion 0 be considered as any improvement P ° n the use of recapitulation and perora-
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tion , by which the ancient orators appear to have vrroug-ht so wonderful an effect on the minds of their auditories ? For myself , I have often witnessed a sort of unpleasant surprise upon the countenances of all around me , when a public speaker has sat down without the slio-hest notice of
an approach towards a close ; while the audience are roused from their state of silent and fixed attention by the voice of the orator being- suddenly lost from their hearing , and his person from their sig-ht . He may say perhaps , that his process of reasoning- was completed , and his
object therefore accomplished : but the moral and religious teacher should consider his audience not merely as reasoningmachines , but as like their great master , capable of being actuated by the hope set before them ; " an animated practical application of their doctrine , is therefore , surely a most desirable constituent of
every public address of ministers to their people . But when the orator has prepared the most eloquent discourse , it will be productive of little effect * if ii be not set off by a natural and forcible delivery . The foundation of this is laid in distinctness of
enunciation . We liave great pleasure in witnessing from year to year , a considerable and very pleasing- improvement : and yet I must not forbear to observe , that there is still a very evident defect , particularly among- the junior students , and more epecially in their extemporaneous replies , in this matter of distinct
enunciation . And I do this the rather , because I am permitted by my friend Dr . Thomson , to interweave some of his obobservations on this very important subject ; which , as his professional acquaintance with the org-ans of the human voice , qualifies him to oirer them with peculiar effect , so I persuade myself they will be
received with a correspondent attention by my young friends . " This defect , " he observes , a arises principally from keeping- the teeth so closed , that it is quite impossible to issue that volume of voice , which it is the office of the tongue and lips to modulate into a clear and distinct enunciation . This fault , vulgarly but
strongly called eating- the words , or mumbling * , is only to be corrected by opening * the tecih more widely , so as to send forth a larp ; cr body of voice . An attention to » observe an erect posture , so as to keep the chest open , and free for the exercise of the lungs and diaphragm ^ which are both essential to full arid powerful enunciation , would also contribute to correct this
important deficiency . '' I might have extended this address to some other particulars of importance , but I am aware that I should thus trespass » ot only upon your patience , but upon that of this numerous assembly , wh ^ have witnec * -
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Intelligence . —Examination at York Academy . 449
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vo x . 3 m
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1815, page 449, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1762/page/49/
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