E. N. James letter to Leigh Hunt, 19th century

              The Clergyman in a long black gown ascends the stairs and places himself in the pulpit which raises him so much above the congregation that he can discern at least the heads of every member of it- All /now/ then assembled to hear instruction of the most valuable nature in every respect- from his lips- To give which ^with effect These are the indispensible preliminaries- A powerful well exercised voice, a perfectly clear enunciation He must be also a perfect Reader- I believe the truest definition of reading is “like speaking or speaking out of a book” All the foregoing we presume indeed know are indispensible to an effective Preacher and Teacher of a large congregation I say 500- a comparatively small number- A more indispensible requisite & of a higher class of more intellectual nature and an indispensible previous subject of consideration to the discerning and conscientious preacher, ^a yearning to effect good to every individual before him friends or enemies



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