“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30636, 30 December 1964, Page 8

“The Press” In 1864

DECEMBER 30 CHRISTCHURCH YOUNG MEN’S LITERARY ASSOCIATION.—The introductory lecture to the members of this association was delivered by Dr. Foster, the Vice-President, last evening, in the Congregational Church; the Rev. W. J. Habens. B. A., occupying the chair. The lecturer took for his subject “The art of public speaking.” In introducing his remarks, he said that there were few arts more highly useful than the power of expressing men's thoughts lucidly and clearly to a mixed audience. Especially was this the case in the position in which the young men of the colonies were placed. Living under a constitution where the voice of the people had so much to do with the conduct of public affairs, it was almost absolutely necessary that every young man should cultivate this art. He then proceeded to impress upon the members the importance of a thorough knowledge of all the facts regarding the question under discussion, especially of their logical relation, and pointed out the difference between spoken and written language, allowing the superiority of the

former in clearness as well as in earnestness. There were two rules which ought always to be borne in mind when one sets about preparing a speech—(l) mean something, and (2) know what you mean. Attention to these two rules would prevent one from falling into gross errors in grammer and in sense, from which even our best speakers were not entirely free. The object to be arrived at ought also steadily to be kept in view, and on no account ought one to turn aside to introduce a fine figure, or a well-turned sentence merely for effect. All great speakers were men in earnest who had definite results which they wished to produce and had no desire of being orators simply as such. The lecturer concluded by cautioning young men against giving way in their early efforts, bringing forward some striking examples of what perseverance could do. He warned them especially against fortifying themselves from this weakness by a resort to stimulants, the evil effects of of which upon them as speakers he dwelt on at some length. At the close, a unanimous vote of thanks to Dr. Foster was carried for an exceeding able and interesting lecture.