other
people's ideas. It never has the power of living and original
thinking.

The true way is to take the elements of the problem in hand, and,
without consulting a book or an opinion, reason out from these very
elements of the problem itself your solution of it, and then prepare
your speech.

After this, read, read, read--read comprehensively, omnivorously, in
order to see whether your solution was not exploded a hundred years
ago--aye, a thousand--and, if it was not, to fortify and make accurate
your own thought. Read Matthew Arnold on "Literature and Dogma," and
you will discover why it is necessary for you to read exhaustively on
any subject about which you would think or write or speak.

But, as you value your independence of mind--yes, even your vigor of
mind--do not read other men's opinions upon the subject before you
have clearly thought out your own conclusions from the premises of the
elemental facts.

As to style, seek only to be clear. Nothing else is important. Never
try to be elegant or striking.

Consider the method of the Saviour in His addresses to the people.
Next to Him, those perfect specimens of the art of putting things are
the speeches and epistles of St. Paul. I know of nothing in literature
so clear, convincing, and logical.

The words of the Master astonish one with their absolute unity with
all the rules of effective address.

Especially His method of driving home a truth by repeating it, and
that, too, in exactly the same words, is noticeable and very
effective. He did not fear that He would be tiresome; He was concerned
only in being clear. Take the following examples--Matthew vii:

24. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his
house upon a rock:

25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it
was founded upon a rock.

26. And every one that _heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them_ not, shall be _likened unto a_ foolish _man, which
built his house upon_ the sand:

27. _And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:_ and great
was the fall of it.

Or study this--Matthew v:

29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it
from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy
members shou