The impressions formed by our pulpit conduct often determine the reception of the message. Offensive mannerisms create a needless prejudice. Among the determining factors may be considered the following:
Use of Voice.—I never cease to marvel at the lack of attention that has been accorded the cultivation of the voice. Most of us are unaware of our vocal defects. We do not hear our own voices as others hear them; so we cannot correct our own faults in voice production. Good, round, mellow voices carry conviction and persuasion, and hold the attention. The declamatory, affected tone should be avoided, and color and vivacity should be cultivated. The greater the variety of pitch in a voice, the better the speaker is able to adapt himself to all conditions. It should never be so high as to be uncontrollable, nor so low that it cannot be heard. A loud voice with poor articulation is not to be compared with a medium-strong voice with good articulation. Conversational voice is apt to be too low for an audience to hear.
Posture in Prayer.—Obviously both the congregation and those on the platform should kneel forward in all public prayer, unless asked to stand. Turning around in a congregation of any size seems most inappropriate. In silent prayer, which is for so short a time, we here in Britain have found it best for those on the platform to kneel forward, as the congregation bow their heads.
Length of Public Prayers.—Again and again we are told by the servant of the Lord that public prayers should be short. The ideal length is three minutes. Our Lord taught us how to pray, but the prayer He gave us is about the length of many of the introductions to our public prayers. We feel we have to pray in great detail and use impressive phrases, but we forget that vain repetitions are the mark of heathen prayers. If we addressed any other being with some of the intonations and the repeated use of names which we weave into our prayers, those who heard us would be amazed, if not disgusted. In all extempore speech, we fail to notice the passage of time. Long prayers quench the devotional spirit, for the average worshiper does not maintain the spirit of fervor to such lengths.
Mannerisms that Please and Annoy.—There should be no deliberate use of uncouth movement, though every speaker should adopt attitudes natural to himself. Good mannerisms should give ease to both the speaker and the audience. Personally, I think the following are permissable: Walking a few paces to right or left; holding the desk at times; and possibly slipping one's hand into one's pocket. Those I find distracting are: Speaking without moving; gripping the lapels of the coat; too deliberate speech; dropping the voice at the end of sentences until the words are almost inaudible; pounding the Bible or desk (perhaps to keep the audience awake?) ; the use of the word "finally" more than once in a service, as it is often a very precious word to an audience; and the most objectionable—violent clearing of the throat.
Length of Public Meetings.—We preachers err in making extravagant demands on the attention of the hearers. We undo by overdoing. One hour is the ideal length for our usual services, with ten to fifteen minutes of community singing, or song service, before the sermon, where possible, but never after. During an evangelistic campaign, the Sunday-night meeting is usually longer, as the offering takes more time, and there should be a musical number. Then, too, the sermon often takes from forty-five to fifty minutes, as the subjects in the series are so vast in scope and importance.
Announcements.—Announcements should be arranged and written out before the speaker comes on the platform, so that there is no leaning over to make belated, whispered arrangements. All verbosity should be eliminated. The announcements should be given in the briefest sentences, the nicety of which makes them impressive. When time is wasted in giving announcements, it is evident that no previous preparation has been made.
Reverent Preaching.—Our posture and speech and mannerisms should all be controlled and reverent. But this need not cut down our enthusiasm. Nor will it cut out all sense of humor, which is, in fact, a requisite—not to provoke a laugh, but to be able occasionally to give some light shading to a somber background. We should not use expressions which will cause dismay or embarrassment to any in the audience. "That I might by all means save some" should be the fundamental purpose of our preaching.