the present century. In the Dialogue of the Pulpit Orator he thus
speaks:[22]

A. Tell me earnestly, I pray you, what you find wanting in my
present sermon.

B. One thing only, but that a main point.

A. It cannot be in the arrangement?

B. It was, I believe, according to all the rules of the
methods.

A. Then the pronunciation was defective?

B. You must speak as God has made you; only you must not be an
imitator.

A. Then the action was wrong?

B. About that I am indifferent, if it be only quiet and not
gesticulatory.

A. My sermon must have been much too long?

B. _If a sermon be good it can't be too long: a bad one always
is._

A. Certainly I did not produce illustrations enough?

B. You could not have meant to empty a basket of quotations.

A. Then I spoke too slow?

B. Ha! In the pulpit we must teach, not talk too volubly.

A. I should have spoken louder too?

B. I like the voice of man, not the braying of an ass.

A. Should I not have used more subtle distinctions?

B. You were there to instruct the ignorant, not to dispute
with heretics.

A. Do then explain yourself more fully.

B. Hear me: you said, "I think much, very much," which was
good, but it only flowed through you as through a pipe.

A. Indeed!

B. Thus, much contracted the taste of the pipe and savored
accordingly.

A. No good compliment, this.

B. It is the best I can make. For when you only cast forth
good and wholesome doctrines, and show nothing of them
expressed in your life and manners, are you not placed out of
yourself to speak one thing and think another? You make us
believe that your holy words are only practised solemn words,
without any real feeling, just as poets make bridal songs and
funeral dirges whenever called upon. You have many passages of
Scripture in readiness; but they do not exhort, strengthen and
instruct you, though others die with joy at hearing the divine
word.

A. You are severe upon me.

B. It is not often the case that the worst men preach the
best. I wish but one thing: that for the future you should say
nothing but what you express in action by your example, or at
least realize by serious endeavors after obedience to God.

A. This is harsh enough.