The Preacher's Vocal Powers

Driving home: Bad content or thin content spoken well can only propagate error or cause idolatrous attachment to the speaker.

Bad or thin content spoken well is likened to propagating error or causing idolatrous attachment to the speaker, emphasizing the danger of prioritizing eloquence over truth.

We hold a view of preaching which makes accuracy of content of supreme importance. Far greater in importance than elegance of expression is the matter of content. Bad content or thin content spoken well can only propagate error or cause idolatrous attachment to the speaker.

3:07 - 3:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Remember that the substance of what is conveyed and the character of the man who conveys it are of far greater relative importance than the voice.

Martin shares his observation that a resident pastor with speech limitations can still be effective if he is Spirit-filled and his character manifests spiritual reality, as people have time to know him.

We also believe, and therefore also, we speak. And so relative to the character of the preacher, the voice is indeed of secondary importance. In a resident pastor, great limitations of speech may be fundamentally and pervasively neutralized if the man himself is full of the spirit and if his character manifests the energy of felt spiritual reality. And brethren, I have seen that.

6:34 - 7:12 Read in full sermon

Driving home: One has accurately written, and here I quote, the voice is the speaker's great instrument. Nothing else in a speaker's voice is the speaker's great instrument. Nothing else in a man's physical constitution is nearly so i…

Ryle's quote illustrates how poor delivery can make 'gold look like copper,' while good delivery can make 'half-pence pass for gold,' highlighting the transformative power of delivery.

Voice and delivery have a great deal to say to the effectiveness of a speaker and above all of the one who speaks in the pulpit. A sermon faultless both in doctrine and composition will often sound dull and tiresome when tamely read by a clergyman with a heavy, monotonous manner. A sermon of little intrinsic merit and containing perhaps not half a dozen words, ideas, will often pass muster as brilliant and eloquent when delivered by a lively speaker with a good voice. For want of a good delivery, some men make gold look like copper,

10:44 - 11:29 Read in full sermon

Driving home: One has accurately written, and here I quote, the voice is the speaker's great instrument. Nothing else in a speaker's voice is the speaker's great instrument. Nothing else in a man's physical constitution is nearly so i…

An ancient's answer that the first, second, and third qualifications of a public speaker are 'action' (delivery) underscores the paramount importance of manner and delivery.

while others, by the sheer force of a good delivery, make a few half-pence pass for gold. Truths divine seem really mended by the tongue of some while they are marred and damaged by others. There is deep wisdom and knowledge of human nature in the answer given by an ancient to one who asked what were the first qualifications of a public speaker and the answer was the first qualification, he said, is action and by that he meant the quality of the act of delivering the speech. The second is action and the third is action.

11:30 - 12:10 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin then argues that relative to the mechanics of preaching (gesture, eye contact, physical motion), vocal powers are of supreme importance, quoting Cicero and Ryle to…

A note from Kenneth McRae's biography describes how his sermon's effect was neutralized by being delivered in a 'less vehement key' in a low building, illustrating insensitivity to vocal mechanics.

The meaning, of course, was that it was almost impossible to overrate the importance of manner and delivery. In reading the biography of Kenneth McRae, there was an interesting statement that I filed away some months ago that points in this same direction. It's on page 228. It's just a very little entry, but again, occasionally, these little entries have profound revelations or affirmations of truth.

12:11 - 12:41 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A well-preached mediocre sermon has great advantages over an excellent written sermon simply because there is nothing in the printed page that can capture the living dynamism of the pathos, of the entreaty, of the urgenc…

The analogy of reading a well-written sermon by a thoughtful reader, who can 'read into it the various inflections,' is used to show how even without a living voice, good content can impress.

the vocal powers are of supreme importance. In a very real sense, many good sermons as to preparation have been greatly hindered in their usefulness for worshiping and the want of a good delivery as to the use of the voice. A good written sermon read by a thoughtful reader has advantages over a poorly delivered oral sermon of the same content. Because, you see, when a man reads a well-written sermon, he can read into it the various inflections

14:31 - 15:16 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A well-preached mediocre sermon has great advantages over an excellent written sermon simply because there is nothing in the printed page that can capture the living dynamism of the pathos, of the entreaty, of the urgenc…

An extended quote from Gardner Spring on the true minister's character, contrasting affected solemnity with genuine piety, illustrates how a good written sermon can convey power even when read.

assuming that the person who wrote it spoke it with a good voice. For instance, I cannot pick up Gardner Spring and read things like this without feeling something of the power of almost living communication. There are not lacking those who impugn the character of the Christian ministry because they do not carry the solemnity of the pulpit into all the scenes of social life. Many, indeed, are the scenes of social life where the solemnity of the pulpit is called for, nor in any of them are the dignity and proprieties of the ministerial character unfitting.

15:16 - 15:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But he goes on to say in a way that's rather strong, a man, who has not a natural and true delivery, should not be allowed to occupy the pulpit.

Wilson's comment on Galatians 4:20, where Paul wishes to 'change my tone,' illustrates the power of the living voice to convey heart and nuance beyond written words.

The comment comes from page 89. The text is chapter 4 and verse 20, where Paul says, I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone. You see what he is saying? If only I could be with you, I could convey something in the very tone of my voice, that I cannot convey by means of a letter.

20:00 - 20:23 Read in full sermon

The point: If you have ever thought lightly of the subject of your voice with respect to preaching, these considerations will convince you of the importance of the vocal powers in preaching.

Spurgeon's humorous but sharp critique of preachers who adopt a 'holy tone for Sundays' different from their natural voice highlights the problem of artificiality and insincerity in delivery.

We shall come away in such disgust and in such horror of their delivery that we shall prefer condemning ourselves to silence rather than to imitate them. The instant you abandon the natural and the true, you forego the right to be believed as well as the right of being listened to. You may go all around to church and chapel alike and you will find that by far the larger majority of our preachers have a holy tone for Sundays. They have one voice for the parlor and the bedroom and quite another tone for the pulpit so that, if not double-tongued sinfully, they certainly

21:50 - 22:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the second main heading, asserting that all God-given vocal dimensions should be wisely employed, and then categorizes these dimensions: compass/range…

Martin illustrates Dabney's concept of 'ichthys' (sudden explosive force on a syllable) by demonstrating how 'I cannot and I will not deny truth' gains power through a held-back breath and explosive delivery.

Someone else may say very loudly I cannot and I will not budge on this issue. He's not convincing you. You may say it much louder and it was this thing Reggie remember you asked the question a couple of weeks ago what did Dabney mean by this ichthys on page 312 let me try to illustrate it. I practiced early this morning for you all right.

30:50 - 31:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the second main heading, asserting that all God-given vocal dimensions should be wisely employed, and then categorizes these dimensions: compass/range…

The classic example of Martin Luther saying 'Here I stand, so help me God' is used to further illustrate the tremendous force conveyed by 'ichthys' in speech.

and I will not you see what I've done by that holding back and then letting it explode then there is force that's what he's talking about when he talks about ichthys in speech in speech I cannot I cannot I will not and some of us who've seen that film of Martin Luther there's a classic example of it when he says here I stand so help me and just the building up so help me God and it comes with tremendous force well Dabney is underscoring that principle now in order to underscore the importance of these things

31:56 - 32:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Wisely employ all of the God-given dimensions of your vocal powers in the service of God's truth, not to gain reputation but to advance God's cause.

Martin conducts an experiment with the question 'Will you come to my house today?' to demonstrate how altering emphasis, volume, and speed dramatically changes the meaning and overtones of the same words.

I'll conduct a little experiment with words in the form of a question and now my question is simply this will you come to my house today now notice the tremendous variety of emphasis that will come and meaning just by altering volume speed ichthys and these other factors alright I may say to you will you come to my house today now where does the emphasis fall alright upon that particular person will you among all others no matter what anyone else does will you come to my house today alright but now if I say

32:40 - 33:25 Read in full sermon

The point: Avoid all vocal affectations, ensuring your delivery does not draw attention away from the content.

The analogy of God telling Isaiah to 'lift up thy voice like a trumpet' versus asking one's wife to 'pass the salt' illustrates that different contexts demand different vocal approaches, refuting the idea that all preaching must sound like ordinary conversation.

any of what we might call the legitimate devices of pausing of variation of pace that make for effective speeching they would immediately say that is affected that is theatric I want nothing to do with it well who says so who has set up the standard when God said to the prophet cry aloud spare not lift up thy voice like a trumpet it would have been sin for Isaiah to have given the message of God in a quiet voice it would have been blatant disobedience

37:05 - 37:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate sufficient volume so as to be heard commandingly and comfortably throughout the audience, fixing your eyes on the farthest hearers.

An experiment is suggested where one addresses people at varying distances in a parking lot to demonstrate how the voice instinctively adjusts its volume based on where the eyes are fixed, supporting Dabney's advice.

generally towards the farthest circle of hearers for the voice will naturally adjust itself to the distance of those we address and that's the truth if you don't believe it someday go out here in the parking lot plant someone on the patio someone about 30 yards out someone 60 and someone way in the woods and say exactly the same words beautiful day isn't it first one address your eyes to the person on the patio the next one the person 30 yards down the next one the end of the parking lot and the guy by the woods and where you fix your eyes you will find almost instinctively the volume will ris...

43:46 - 44:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate sufficient volume so as to be heard commandingly and comfortably throughout the audience, fixing your eyes on the farthest hearers.

An extended quote from Spurgeon criticizes preachers who are inaudible or indistinct, using vivid imagery to describe the pain of listening to those who mumble, whisper, or rant, emphasizing the need for clear, audible, and well-paced speech.

only cause you to constrict your volume you'll also see so many distracting things so close it can unhinge you so there is good reason and we'll come into that with a matter of eye contact but suffice it to say cultivate sufficient volume so as to be heard commandingly and comfortably and then Spurgeon speaking to this on page 115 says and now I'm going to quote him always speak so as to be heard I know a man who weighs 16 stone a stone is 14 pounds so you figure it out 16 times 14 he won no half pipe I think I'm 13 stone six something like that I weighed myself over there

45:15 - 45:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If there's a sin that's inexcusable as far as I'm concerned unless a man has a physical disability that cannot be overcome it is speaking too softly in the pulpit it's inexcusable brethren and there will be no authority …

Martin shares a personal story about his hard-of-hearing mother straining to listen to preachers, making him particularly sensitive to the inexcusable sin of speaking too softly in the pulpit.

I was reared in a home with a mother who was hard of hearing almost total loss in one ear and only 30% hearing in the other and I've seen my godly dear mother straining to listen to people who punished this woman in her affliction because they simply didn't understand would not speak loud enough and so in a peculiar way I'm sensitive to this issue but then the second thing is this if a man has really prepared and really has something to say whatever else he's going to be sure of he's going to be sure that what God has given him to say people are going to hear and if there's a sin that's inexcu...

49:40 - 50:25 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate distinctness of enunciation and correctness of pronunciation, giving proper weight to each syllable, vowel, and consonant.

Spurgeon's advice to young men on using dumbbells, throwing shoulders back, and avoiding leaning over the desk illustrates the physical discipline required for distinct enunciation and full vocal power.

have a voice of their own and therefore can speak for themselves and so in all other matters exercise a rigid discipline until you've mastered your voice and have it in hand like a well trained steed and then he says gentlemen with narrow chests are advised to use the dumbbells every morning he actually provided some weight lifting equipment there for them and said do not speak with your hands in your waistcoat pockets we would say our vest pockets so as to contract your lungs but throw the shoulders back as public singers do do not lean over the desk while speaking never hold the head down on...

55:37 - 56:22 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate distinctness of enunciation and correctness of pronunciation, giving proper weight to each syllable, vowel, and consonant.

Dabney's observation on the 'curtness and hurry of enunciation' in the material age, with examples like 'capital' becoming 'capital,' highlights the threat to the English language's melody and identity, stressing the need for proper vowel and consonant weight.

while he observes due accent and emphasis he must give space for the distinct enunciation of both the vowels and consonants of all unaccented syllables there's a tendency growing in this our material age to a curtness and hurry of enunciation which threatens to destroy the melody and the very identity of the English as a spoken language and then he gives examples people pronounce the word capital as though it were capital cardinal in their mouths is cardinal memory is memory governor is governor innocent

57:05 - 57:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't spare yourself the real labor of fully engaging all of your faculties (stomach muscles, diaphragm, larynx, tongue, teeth, lips) connected with an effective use of your vocal powers.

The analogy of a mute in a trumpet illustrates how immobility or lack of use of the speech apparatus (tongue, teeth, lips) can neutralize the influence of air, muting the 'bell of your gospel trumpet' and reducing sound.

regard as the bell of your trumpet because now what happens when you stick a mute in the trumpet though there's the same amount of air coming out of the lips of the trumpet player what happens with the mute the mute neutralizes the influence of that air passing over the bell and therefore the sound is greatly reduced this is your bell of your gospel trumpet and it must not be muted by immobility lack of use of the teeth the mouth the tongue now you don't need to appear in such a way that you're trying to get rid of peanut butter on the roof of your mouth now that would be grotesque

60:47 - 61:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't cut yourself off from competent critics and the practical disciplines essential to continuous progress in vocal efficiency.

Martin suggests practicing facial exercises and contortions (e.g., 'bee bee bee') to limber up facial muscles, mouth, and lips before preaching, comparing it to a runner loosening up, to overcome laziness and fully develop vocal faculties.

but you ought to work at limbering up all of these faculties it might be well for some of you to begin to practice in private before you go to preach somewhere just certain facial exercises just as before one runs he loosens up just use certain things then just go bee bee bee bee ba ba ba bo bo bo use bees a lot of bees and ba's and bo's and just make all kinds of contortions until all of your facial muscles and your mouth and your lips gets loosened up if you ever saw some of the contortions I went to before I preached you'd probably never listen to me but I find I must do this not all the ti...

61:31 - 62:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Determine that by God's grace you will continually progress in your preaching, even in waning years, to be more subtle and effective in communicating God's truth.

A humorous anecdote about a nervous lady calling a clergyman in the middle of the night to preach her to sleep over the phone illustrates the potential for sermons to be dull and ineffective, failing to engage the listener.

and underscored in very similar ways because again you see these are matters that are open to inquiry and observation with anyone who works with people in the whole area of public speaking and communication alright brethren we've got time for questions if you have them I put down Isaiah 40 verse 9 as a text with which to conclude but you can just write it into your notes then I had a cute little anecdote that I clipped out of one of my Christian periodicals I'll read that while you're thinking of your questions too a clergyman was called in the middle of the night by one of the women

67:27 - 68:12 Read in full sermon