of us would be placed at His right hand?  Do you believe that the number would at least be equal?  Do you believe there would even be found ten upright and faithful servants of the Lord, when formerly five cities could not furnish so many?  I ask you.  You know not, and I know it not.  Thou alone, O my God, knowest who belong to Thee.  But if we know not who belong to Him, at least we know that sinners do not.  Now, who are the just and faithful assembled here at present?  Titles and dignities avail nothing, you are stript of all these in the presence of your Savior.  Who are they?  Many sinners who wish not to be converted; many more who wish, but always put it off; many others who are only converted in appearance, and again fall back to their former courses.  In a word, a great number who flatter themselves they have no occasion for conversion.  This is the party of the reprobate.  Ah! my brethren, cut off from this assembly these four classes of sinners, for they will be cut off at the great day.  And now appear, ye just!  Where are ye?  O God, where are Thy chosen?  And what a portion remains to Thy share.”

Gladstone

Gladstone had by nature a musical and melodious voice, but through practise he developed an unusual range of compass and variety.  He could sink it to a whisper and still be audible, while in open-air meetings he could easily make himself heard by thousands.

He was courteous, and even ceremonious, in his every-day meeting with men, so that it was entirely natural for him to be deferential and ingratiating in his public speaking.  He is an excellent illustration of the value of cultivating in daily conversation and manner the qualities you desire to have in your public address.

John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams read two chapters from the Bible every morning, which accounted in large measure for his resourceful English style.  He was fond of using the pen in daily composition, and constantly committed to paper the first thoughts which occurred to him upon any important subject.

Fox

The ambition of Fox was to become a great political orator and debater, in which at last he succeeded.  His mental agility was manifest in his reply to an elector whom he had canvassed for a vote, and who offered him a halter instead.  “Oh thank you,” said Fox, “I would not deprive you of what is evidently a family relic.”

His method was to take each argument of an opponent, and dispose of it in regular order.  His passion was for argument, upon great or petty subjects.  He availed himself of every opportunity to speak.  “During five whole sessions,” he said, “I spoke every night but one; and I regret that I did not speak on that night, too.”

Theodore Parker

Theodore Parker always read his sermons aloud while writing them, in order to test their “speaking quality.”  His opinion was that an impressive delivery depended particularly upon vigorous feeling, energetic thinking, and clearness of statement.