embracing only a few topics, the discussion of which was deemed by the author, most important in its bearing on the reputation and usefulness of the American pulpit. With a primary reference to these objects the Lectures were prepared. It is on this account, the more to be regretted, that they must be presented to the public, without the perfection both in sentiment and language, which the superior taste, and the extensive professional knowledge of the author would have imparted to them. Several explanatory notes it has been found necessary to insert. Their form and object render their origin sufficiently obvious. In accordance with the advice of several judicious friends of the author, the syllabus of the Lectures is omitted. Should a future edition be demanded, a place may be assigned to it, if desirable. It has been thought best that these Lectures should be printed to correspond with those on Homiletics &c., and should be bound with the copies of that work yet in the publishers' hands, so as to constitute but one volume. In this way opportunity will be offered those desirous of possessing the Lectures of Dr. Porter, to obtain them in a more convenient, and at the same time, less expensive form, than if they were published in separate volumes. It is proposed, however, to bind a part of this edition separately for the accommodation of those who have purchased the volume on Homiletics, and who may desire to procure the remaining Lectures of the author. L. MATTHEWS. Braintree, April, 1836. LECTURES ON ELOQUENCE. LECTURE I. INTRODUCTORY.-UTILITY OF PRECEPTS.- -ON WHAT THEIR UTILITY DEPENDS. THE Statutes of this Seminary require that in the department of Sacred Rhetoric, a competent number of Lectures shall be delivered, "On the importance of oratory; on the invention and disposition of topics; on the several parts of a regular discourse; on elegance, composition and dignity of style; on pronunciation, on the proper management of the voice and correct gesture; on the immense importance of a natural manner; on the rules to be observed in composing a sermon, and on the adaptation of the principles and precepts of ancient Rhetoric, to this modern species of oration; on the qualities in the speaker, in his style, and in his delivery, necessary to a finished pulpit orator; on the methods of strengthening the memory, and of improving in sacred eloquence; on the character and style of the most ancient Divines, and the best models of imitation, their respective beauties and excellencies in thought and expression; and above all, on the transcendent simplicity, beauty, and sublimity of the sacred writings." The topics which according to this general plan it falls to me to discuss, may be divided into five classes. In the first class, I shall call your attention to the nature and ends of eloquence, and to some sketches of its history. In the second class, I shall consider the importance to a preacher of a thorough acquaintance with his own language ;what things are implied in purity of style ;—the authority of Etymology, and of good use in language ;-principles that should govern the adoption of new words;-the rights and the faults of Americans on this subject;-general characteristics of style; -perspicuity, strength, beauty and sublimity ;-directions in forming a style; faults and excellencies in the style of the pulpit; use and abuse of critical exercises, among theological students. In the third class, I shall consider the work of public preaching. After some preparatory sketches of the pulpit in different periods; I shall consider the structure of a regular sermon ; choice of text and subject; exordium, explication and proposition, division, discussion, conclusion. General characteristics of good preaching; as being instructive, evangelical, explicit and direct, affectionate, impressive. In this class will also be included my remarks on written and unwritten sermons; on occasional sermons, expository lectures, and public prayer. The fourth class will embrace the general subject of delivery; including the importance of the subject, earnestness in a speaker, preparatory discipline, strength and improvement of the vocal organs; articulation, tones and inflections, emphasis, modulation, action. The fifth class will include the chief qualities requisite in the preacher; such as personal piety, soundness of faith, strength of intellect, biblical and theological learning, knowledge of men, taste, sensibility.* * Of the Lectures of Dr. Porter on these several classes of topics, those of the third together with the last three of the second class, are comprised in the volume published just before his decease, on Homiletics, Preaching, and Public Prayer. Those of the fourth class, on articulation and the topics which follow, were incorporated into his Rhetorical Analysis. The lectures on the preceding topics of this class, and on those of the first two classes, are contained in this volume. Upon the topics of the fifth class no lectures are found among his manuscripts. Probably the substance of all he ever wrote on |