A System of Christian Rhetoric

A System of Christian RhetoricThis work may be distinguished from others of its class by a number of noticeable points. It is not an essay or collection of lectures on selected parts of the subject, nor is it a record of individual experience and advice; neither is it a special treatise composed in the interest of a church, or sect, or seminary, although as the foot notes bear witness, it is largely indebted to sterling works of all these kinds. It is rather a system, treating of

This work may be distinguished from others of its class by a number of noticeable points. It is not an essay or collection of lectures on selected parts of the subject, nor is it a record of individual experience and advice; neither is it a special treatise composed in the interest of a church, or sect, or seminary, although as the foot-notes bear witness, it is largely indebted to sterling works of all these kinds. It is rather a system, treating of all the prominent branches of Christian Rhetoric and of their relations no less to one another than to things that are radical and even foundational. Yet this system is not theoretical only, but practical as well.

Of the service it can render to the secular speaker, a few words ought, perhaps, to be premised. In reconstructing general rhetoric, a task the writer judged unavoidable, he has corrected some errors that have been misleading authors and readers ever since the days of Cicero, while he has placed in new lights and aspects many a precept and maxim of the old classical rhetors. Here, also, rhetorical Method, Arguments and Figures of every description, and the qualities of the Oratorical style are, he fancies, set forth in forms not much less condensated, practical, and working than in any other existing book. Even his analysis of the eloquence of the Hebrew prophets, the results of which are traceable throughout these pages would, likely enough, prom of considerable utility to secular orators in addressing Christian men and in handling ethical and ecclesiastical subjects.