influential element in their character, is the religious element. It
is as instinctive and elemental as the law of self-preservation. It
informs the whole intellect and personality of the people.

Therefore he who would greatly influence the people by uttering their
unformed thought must have this great invisible and unanalyzable bond
of sympathy with them. I will let your preacher work this out more
elaborately for you.

One word more; and to this word listen and hearken and bind it on the
tablets of your understanding.

Insincerity cuts the heart out of all oratory.

You may marshal your arguments and concoct your pretty devices of
words, and work yourself into a great heat in the speaking of them;
but if you do not believe what you say you are only a play-actor after
all--a poor mummer reciting your own lines.

You had far better be a professional actor; that will, at least,
insure you excellent lines to declaim. The dramatic profession is
devoted to the interpretation of art in one of its highest forms. A
true actor is a true artist--painter and sculptor no more so.

If Polus stands on a lower pedestal than Praxiteles in mankind's
esteem it is because his genius was not so brilliant and not because
the art of acting is less noble than that of sculpture. Talma was more
eminent than David. Bernhardt is as noted and notable as Millet,
Irving as distinguished as Millais; while in our own country not more
than two men in painting and sculpture deserve places beside Booth and
Forrest as high priests of Art.

That your audience applauds you is nothing. The same audience would
applaud Paderewski or a great prestidigitator. You see, your audience
may applaud you because you have put your thought cleverly, or juggled
your words attractively, or thrown over them that magnetic spell which
all great personalities have. It may clap its hands because you have
entertained it.

But what has all this to do with the truth? And why are you speaking
at all, unless it is that you, knowing the truth, are trying to show
the truth to others? So do not seek to arouse applause for its own
sake. If it comes naturally, spontaneously, it is a pleasant tribute
to your cause. But if you win it by your art, it is merely a tribute
to your powers. And you are not speaking for yourself--you are
speaking for your cause.

The wife of one of the most effective of American speakers is reported
to have said to him: "I wish you would deliver a