James Hoffman Batten

              James Hoffman Batten
Mutual  Lyceum   Bureau
FRANK A. MORGAN    ::   ::   President
640 Orchestra Building
Chicago, Illinois
James   Hoffman   Batten
JAMES HOFFMAN BATTEN has been characterized as the "Little  Giant of the Lyceum Platform." He is unique in his individuality, intense in his purpose, positive in his message, eloquent in his presentation. He is not a thought-copyist and platform-imitator, but a thought-originator and platform-independent. Mr. Batten has a wonderfully rich, full, clear voice, a remarkable command of language, and a genius for ' 'pouring the water of life through the clay jugs of Saxon speech." He is sanely optimistic, and possessed with that divine enthusiasm which the old Greeks called ' 'the fire of life." His lectures, though treated in popular style, are inspirational in character, and enlarge the sky-line of human vision. He believes in the brotherhood of dust and stars. Mr. Batten's oratory is not of the "sky-rocket" or variable type. His platform and pulpit work is evenly satisfactory, and satisfactorily even.    He has not acquired the habit of having "off nights."
One of his former parishioners said of him, "He hits the bull's-eye every time." Not a line of criticism has been seen in any newspaper published where Mr. Batten has appeared. They all say he is far better than the advance notices and circulars claim, and his lectures prove the biggest surprise of the season. We present James Hoffman Batten for the seventh consecutive season because we believe in him; knowing from past experience, that wherever he appears, the most satisfactory reports from committees and managers will result with unfailing regularity.
MUTUAL LYCEUM BUREAU
Lectures
The World's Daybreak
In which the lower expansion —Materialism, contests with the higher expansion—Idealism, for supremacy in the activities of life.
" Out of the shadow of night The world rolls into light -'Tis daybreak everywhere."
Cabbage-Gardens and Paradise
In which the tide of opportunity does not make, but only reveals the man of decisive character, who makes opportunity serve his purpose.
'A man may live in paradise and dream of a cabbage-garden; or he may live in a cabbage-garden and dream of  paradise."
Sunday Sermon -Lectures
Moral Imperialism
In which the  supreme importance of the moral ideal is emphasized.
Faith - Power World-Life
In which, in any sphere of life, the man who is a tremendous believer distances the man who is a mere experimenter.
Knowing One's Own Father
In which the heredity of the skies overcomes the heredity of earth, and crowns the human, Son of God.
The Pathfinder of Democracy
In which the universal qualities of the "common people" flower in the greatest human among the sons of divine genius -the man who made democracy a fact.
" When the Norn mother saw the whirlwind hour,
Greatening and darkening as it hurried on,
She bent the strenuous heavens, and came down,
To make a man to meet the mortal need."
Commencements The Masteries of Life
In which the man who masters self, beholds the walls of the world fall down before him.
The   Vision  that Makes Alive
In which the graduate who stands on the threshold of life's activities, is enabled to "see through," and chart his course by the eternal stars.
The Student at the Bar of Judgment
In which the student finds himself at the bar of the world's practical judgment, and must demonstrate the superiority of trained over untrained natural forces.
Personal  Commendations
REV. HARRY B. GOUGH, DePauw Univ., Greencastle, Ind. —James Hoffman Batten will make you think of Napoleon; in stature he is small, but sturdy, and his words drive home like the military wedges of the "Little Corsican." As a lecturer, he is witty, and yet not a mere wag; intellectual, and yet not suggestive of dry bones. He is a man who has something big to say, says it, and then stops. After you have heard him, you will think of Lincoln's skit about Douglas: "He's the biggest pea in the smallest pod I ever saw."
J. S. DAMRON, Mgr. Y. M. C. A. Lecture Course, Macomb, Ill. —When James Hoffman Batten was pastor of the Methodist Church in this city it was no uncommon thing for people to be turned away, unable to find even decent standing room. During the last two years he has been called back to Macomb seven times to deliver lectures and addresses, crowds turning out to hear him. He has a powerful voice, is a good thinker, a hard hitter, and a rapid speaker, but always plain and distinct, and never fails to hold his audience from start to finish.
DR. J. H. SOWERBY, President, Canton, Ill.—James Hoffman Batten, in his lecture ou "The World's Day¬break," was one of the strong numbers on our Chautauqua program. Mr. Batten has an excellent voice, a good presence, and something to say. He always speaks in that convincing style which makes you think of him as "a man with a message."
REV. GEO. C. WILDING, D. D., Paterson, N. J.— James Hoffman Batten is set for the truth. Hot ideas, draped in flaming words, are tossed off from his throbbing brain in tropical profusion, and flow from his lips with the force of a mountain torrent He is an evangel of the new era that swells just around the curve. Hear him and quit moping.
JAMES B. GARNER, PH. D., Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind.—James Hoffman Batten is an orator and public speaker of high order. 1 have heard the lecture entitled "The Pathfinder of Democracy." For strict and rigid adherence to historical truth, for comprehensiveness of thought, for elegance of expression, and for inspiring eloquence —the four great virtues—I have not heard his superior.
HARRY M. HOLBROOK, Chautauqua Manager, Redpath-Slayton Bureau, Chicago—Batten is a "little giant" intellectually, and a regular whirlwind oratorically.
PROF. P. C. TONNING, Manager Green Lake Chautauqua, Willmar, Minn.—If the re's anything we want more than Batten, it's more Batten.
H. E. CROSS, Secretary, Willamette Valley Assembly, Oregon City, Ore.—Y our work for us gave splendid satisfaction. You came to us an entire stranger and left with the good wishes and hearty appreciation of all. I can cheerfully recommend you to any Chautauqua Association that wants good honest work of a high order.
REV. S. PARKES CADMAN, D. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.—I nave heard James Hoffman Batten lecture with great delight and equal profit. He is one of the best and sanest lecturers on the platform of today. I most heartily recommend him to lecture bureaus and managers.
J. E. MILLARD, Manager Assembly, East Peoria, Ill.— After using James Hoffman Batten on my programs for several years, I am prepared to say that he is one of the lecturers who never disappoints an audience. He has lectured five times at the East Peoria Assembly as repeated engagements, and each time was greeted by increased audiences. He is a clear thinker, a rapid speaker, and an orator of more than ordinary ability.
HON. GEO. K. INGHAM, President Weldon Springs Assembly, Clinton, Ill.- James Hoffman Batten was with us at the Weldon Springs Chautauqua Assembly as lecturer and platform manager. We found him satisfactory in every way, and have nothing but words of praise for him and his work.
REV. WALTER I. FOWLE, Secretary Chautauqua, Ames, Iowa—Dr. Batten gave his powerful lecture on "The Pathfinder of Democracy" at our Chautauqua. It was an inspiration to all, many voting it the finest thing given this year; this when given on a program that included Gov. Hanly, Dr. Green, Geo. R Stuart and Maud Ballington Booth.
A. G. COLLINS, President Chautauqua, Hebron, Neb.— In the Hebron Chautauqua of 1907, James Hoffman Batten was the dynamo, electrifying and giving life, inspiration, and success throughout the ten days. His sermon on Sabbath, his three popular lectures, and series of daily Bible lectures were all most interesting, instructive and eloquent. He is rightly characterized, "the little giant."
REV. A. B. STORMS, D. D., Indianapolis, Ind. (Formerly Pres. Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa)—It gives me great pleasure to say that Dr. James Hoffman Batten spoke several times in lectures, sermons and chapel talks at the Iowa State College during my presidency, and that no speaker in the seven years I was there commanded a more attentive hearing than he. Dr. Batten's thought is vital, and his delivery and diction of the first quality in literary form and popular interest.
HON. AL0NZ0 E. WILSON, Manager Lincoln Chautauqua System, Chicago — Mr. Batten was on our Chautauqua circuit last season for thirteen weeks, lecturing twice each day in sixty-five towns. He is strong in thought, pleasing as a speaker, and powerful and convincing as an orator. He has positive convictions which enable him to speak from the heart. I commend him as a good attraction for any Chautauqua or lecture course.
S. M. HOLLADAY, Manager Midland Chautauqua Circuit, Des Moines, Iowa—James Hoffman Batten is a valuable man. His popular lectures are masterpieces of eloquence; his Sunday sermon-lectures solve the Sunday problem by being both religious and popular; his series of Bible lectures should be given at every Chautauqua in the land, and his ability as a platform manager is worth several hundred dollars to any assembly. Mr. Batten is a great thinker, a great orator and a great lecturer. For power of analysis, beauty of diction and convincing logic, he is rarely equalled. I was surprised to find his lecture on "Abraham Lincoln, Commoner," the equal of Bishop Fowler's great Lincoln lecture, though treated in a very different manner. At several Chautauquas where I used Mr. Batten he reached and pleased the people equal to any lecturer on the programs, which included such men as Gov. Hanly, Col. Gearhart, Sen. Dolliver, Sen. Tillman and Sam Small.
Press Comments
VIDETTE, Valparaiso, Ind.—James Hoffman Batten has a delivery that is pleasing and telling in its expression, and leaves the lesson the speaker desires indelibly imprinted in the mind of the hearer. His lecture on "The Pathfinder of Democracy" is a masterpiece in thought and expression, and can be classed as a really great effort.
NEWS, Kenmare, N. Dakota—James Hoffman Batten, who gave the second number on the course, was all and more than the people could be led to believe or expect. Keen analysis of his subject, "The World's Daybreak," with a comprehensive survey that was luminous and informing, marked the development of the theme. Mr. Batten entertains and pleases, while at times he carries his audience by storm. His fine periods, ready wit, compelling humor, and real solid thought, made the lecture ideal.
TRIBUNE, Willmar, Minn.—James Hoffman Batten, "the little giant," is a man with "something in him," and that it "comes out," all who heard him can bear witness. Few men possess such power of analysis or such convincing logic, and fewer still combine with these qualities a beauty of diction and ability to inspire such as characterizes Mr. Batten. His lectures are practical. He expresses in a masterly manner the things which lie closest to the heart. Sympathy, love of righteousness, hatred of shams and deceit, lofty purposes and ideals, recognition of moral, intellectual and religious responsibility—these are the things he pleads for with the power born of a warm heart, a clear mind, and an intense purpose. Before finishing his lectures at the Green Lake Chautauqua, he had completely won the hearts of his hearers, all of whom went away hoping to hear "the little giant" again.
HERALD, Grand Forks, N. Dakota—One of the best pulpit orators of the Northwest.
NEWS, Hallock, Minn.—The speaker of our High School Commencement was James Hoffman Batten, who held the absolute attention of the entire audience with his great lecture upon "The Masteries of Life." It was indeed a masterpiece, and if Mr. Batten ever comes to Hallock again, he can count on a very appreciative audience.
STAR, Peoria, 111.—James Hoffman Batten is one of the most attractive speakers heard by a Peoria audience in many a day. As an orator, he created a genuine sensation. While nature bereft him of a few inches in height, she equipped him with a powerful dynamo and a turbine wheel, making him equal to three ordinary men in force and effectiveness.
MESSENGER, Boone Co., Ia.—The last number of the lecture course was the best of all. James Hoffman Batten delighted and electrified his audience with his splendid lecture, "The World's Daybreak." He is "at home" on the platform, and his lecture sent everybody to their homes delighted with what they had heard. Humor, sparkle, sense, logic, wisdom, everything good was in it.
HOME NEWS, New Brunswick, N. J.—Mr. Batten's lecture, "The World's Daybreak," showed him to be a careful thinker, a scholar, and an accomplished orator, three qualities that especially fit him for platform work.
CALL, Citronelle, Alabama—James Hoffman Batten is a man who gets hold of people very quickly, and once under his influence, they attend every lecture he delivers, as far as possible.
REPUBLICAN, Joliet, Ill.—In a lecture upon "The Pathfinder of Democracy," James Hoffman Batten sprung a surprise at the Chautauqua last evening. One can do remarkable things with the words of the English language, provided he knows how. In this lies the secret of Mr. Batten's success, and with it the ability to deliver thought in a forcible manner, which immediately transmits his depth of meaning. Mr. Batten is a little man to look upon but during the progress of his lecture he outgrows his former self. So far he is the tallest one of all who have appeared before the assembly. A giant in oratory, endowed with a tremendous voice, which carries the weight of his great thought and sets his audience thinking along a higher plane, he is a genius in many ways and what is wanting in stature is made up for in brain cells. He is clever from start to finish and knows the political situation thoroughly through knowledge acquired by personal experience in the political arena.
HERALD, Gas City, Kans.—The patrons of the lecture course enjoyed a treat at the Methodist Church Friday night, where they assembled to hear James Hoffman Batten in his lecture, "The World's Daybreak." By many it was pronounced the best number of the course. In fine rhetorical sentences, in clear-cut logic, in intellectual depth, and in forceful delivery Batten excelled. "The World's Day¬break" is a magnificent appeal to turn away from the material spirit of the age to the nobler things of life. Still, the lecture is not a dry harangue on morals, but is packed full of facts and truths, and made spicy and entertaining by happy illustrations that "hit the nail on the head." Gas City people will gladly welcome Batten for a future date.
DEMOCRAT, Dearborn, Mo.—Every intelligent man and woman in Dearborn who failed to hear James Hoffman Batten at the Opera House last Friday night, was a heavy loser thereby. Mr. Batten's subject was "The World's Daybreak," and he handled it as only one of extraordinary ability could. He is a small man in stature, but big in heart, big in words, big in deeds, and as his lecture progresses he assumes the proportions of a giant in the hearts of his hearers. He is ready, witty, logical, eloquent, and his arguments are forceful and to the point. In a five-minute section of his lecture, he presented more unanswerable arguments against the licensed saloon than one would ordinarily hear in a year. He held the profound attention and interest of his audience from the start, and should he ever visit Dearborn again, he will meet with a cordial reception