Robert Nourse

              ROBERT NOURSE
Editor of the National Exchanger, Originator of Public Opinion, Author, Preacher, and The Greatest Dramatic Orator of the World.
If one were asked to name the two men who stand at the head of the ranks of American lecturers, there might be some difficulty in making a prompt reply. How¬ever, there would be no hesitation in nam¬ing Dr. Nourse as one of them.
— The Public Platform.
List of Lectures
Dramatic: Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde   The Bells
John and Jonathan   Foolish Virgins   The Belief of Unbelievers   The Rise and Fall of Old England   The Right and Wrong of Anarchy
Why I am not an Infidel   Why I am a Christian   God and Business   The New Evangel
Brockway Lecture Bureau
Pittsburgh, PA
In presenting the name of ROBERT NOURSE nothing more need he said. It is ;i household For years he has been heard in all the large cities of the United States and Canada. Nobody lectures like him. No o did. Perhaps no one can. His combination of gifts is remarkable. He is the only man who combines the moral earn of the pulpit with the skill of an actor. Moreover, he is a great humorist and deeply philosophical. At one moment v with laughter, the next you shudder with horror, then you listen to a flow of sentences that surprise you by their sitnnu and depth of thought and when all is over you say " That is the best sermon I ever heard.11
ROBERT NOURSE on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
n
In all probability this lecture has been delivered more times to the same audience and in the san place than any other.     There has never been another record like it.     It has been delivered in :—
Oakland, Cal., three times. Washington, D. C, six times. Chicago, 111 , four times. Lincoln, Nebr., four times. Cleveland, O., four times. St. Louis, Mo., eight times. Ada, O., three times.
The demand for it is as great as ever.     Hearers say that they get more out of it the more they hen it. The immediate impression is tremendous, as the following notice, taken from The Charlotte Observer, shows:
Indianapolis, Ind., four times. Jackson, Mich., twice. Detroit, Mich., twice. Delaware, O., twice. San Francisco, Cal., twice. Milwaukee, Wis., five times.
New York, four times. Boston, Mass., three times. Cincinnati, O., three times. Oxford, O., three times. Salem, Ore., twice. Vancouver, B. C, twice.
Nourse Has Not Been Surpassed by Any Platform Speaker Charlotte Hus Yet Heard
Dr. Robt. Nourse last night delivered his lecture " Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" to a large audience in Association Hall, Save to the few who follow the platform closely, Dr. Nourse came as a stranger, but he made a place for himself las* Din in the hearts of his hearers. " Great" is now slang, but no less a word would adequ ttelv qualify this production. It is great lecture; a master theme in master hand0, a sermon, a le-son as well as an oration. As one expressed it, the pleasure derived was not the kind to talk about but to think over, to pray over. It is not too much to s*y that no lecture deli Charlotte has in theme, matter and delivery surpassed this one. In personality Dr. Nourse is striking. An Englishman l>y birth, he, though Americanized, still retains a slight accent that is both pleasing and p culiar. His voice is excel'ent,|l humor rich, his illustrations striking, his dramatic powers intense, his earnestness real. Those who failed to hear Dr. Nourfcl have a rare pleasure yet ahead of them.
One who has watched audiences under various circumstances, last night said that no Charlotte audience, in bis recol¬lection, had ever been under such perfect control of the lecturer. A joke would convulse it with laughter, when, bringfl from his illustrations some hidden truth touching the deepe t recesses of one's soul, he would make it shudder with honor.
A grand lecture throughout, the closing scene, the death of Dr. Jekyll in the person of Mr. Hyde, beggared descriptiot
As the grand old man bowed his good night, he received a storm of applause.
Besides all this, there is no lecture that pays better. Frequently the door sales have exceeded t! lecturer's fee. At Painsville, Ohio, the manager of the course reported that fifty dollars more \v« r» takei at the door than for a Grand Concert Company which was supposed to be the supreme attraction of tl season.     It draws like a drama.
Read the following from Rev. G. C. Adams, D.D., formerly of St. Louis, now of San Francisco, Cal
" We have had Robert Nourse four times.   Each lecture was a grand success.  The last one was held at the Entertl ment Hall of the Exposition Building, and he gave'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' the second time for us and the third time i city.    It happened to be an evening when a very popular symphony concert was given in the great hall at the other ( the building, and thousands of people had free tickets.    At the same time every theatre of the city had some special fttU
other lectures were in progress.    A more unfortunate combination against us could hardly have occ Notwithstanding all this, and the fact that many had heard the lecure before, and the additional facts that it was hist
tion, and several other lectures were in progress.    A more unfortunate combination against us could hardly L-.-
:he additional facts that it wasM teenth appearance in the city, and his third appearance daring the season, and that it rained, we had a good audience t cleared nearly two hundred dollars over and above all expenses, with the returns not all in.
"(Signed)                                                                                                 "GEO. C. ADAMS,                                  u .,
"Pastor Compton Hill Congregational Church, St. Louis, MO,
TRIBUTES   OF   EMINENT   MEN
Announce Nourse widely. He is a great success, full of sense and fun.— Bishop J. H. Vincent, Chautauqua.
Dr. Nourse is the only lecturer that I have cared to hear more than once, and am never tired of hearing him.—{The late) Dr.K. E. Highee, Lancaster, Pa.
Just now, in my opinion, Mr. Nourse is the greatest platform orator going. — Rev. Simeon Gilbert, ]).!>.. Editor The Advance.
One of the most eloquent, wise, and witty talkers you ever heard.—Washing¬ton Gladden, LL. D., of the Century Magazine.
You may say what you will about Nourse you cannot say too much.—Robert J. Burdette, Brooklyn Eagle.
You may speak of Nourse 'n terms that will appear extravagant until you have heard him.—Rev. F. A. Noble, I).I)., Chicago.
Ill breadth and scope of thought, in clearness and beauty of language. In elo-
Juence ot style and utterance, in wit and action he is a marvek—Rt. v.T.F.Brasse, KD., Pasadena, Col.
We know of no man on the platform who pleases and instructs us so much.— Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, Editor Zion's Herald, Boston .
He is a true man of extraordinary gifts, earnestness and purpose, and a speaker of remarkable abi.ity and power.—Rev. J. K. McLean, I). D., Oakland,
Cal.
It is a rich treat to listen to him.—Rev. l>r. Van Cleve, Los Angeles, Cal.
In presence, he reminds me of Phillips; in philosophical grasp <»f   of (J) of Beeeher; in dramat ie act ion, delivery and control of his auaieiw —J. R. Danfovth, U. S. Consul Spain.
His lecture on  "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" I have iiover li*^*1^,!,.^ From beginning to end it was intensely interesting, and the eii| "' ' charmed by the dramatic power displayed.—Hon . E. N. Mornii,m.^t ton, D. C.
T,Phillips,Gough and other great ..rators. ,,,>th„Dr •ptionlsaythat this lecture of Mr. Nm"',s< „H"« |f]
1,1,1 H   ,11 .....sec-rat*
. Mich-
I have heard Beeeher, ] dead; but without exeeptlo„.
and Mr. Hyde" is the greatest thing I eversaw on the platiormjj time I ever saw or heard of the finest dramat ie talent beingO" highest......-a l purpose.—.Rev. A. Hamilton, n. D., Battle Crees, -
His lecture on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." w tl)  Us \V)!)<(j!)r%i*' Characterizations, was very flue.—Rev. A. P. Foster, I). I> . J>"s
The greatest human utterance I ever heard.—O. O. Howatitt U. S. A., San Francisco.                                                                         pre*1'1
Unique on the lecture platform.— E. M. Turner, Esq., LL. D-University, W. Fa.                                                                           _  <M(m(,0ft*
I have no hesil greatest lectures > oped.—John S. Van Cleve, Professor of En'glit
■ va.                                                                                         (lr th«
lOhesitation in pronouncing it ( •••Jekyll and  Hyde   ' ?tures which the whole history of lecturing as an a        fit i S. Van Cleve, Professor of English Literature, < ""'"'
JOHN AND JONATHAN
Tl is is tin* first lecture that Dr. Nourse ever gave and was a discussion of the relations of England
>rica as they were by a man who had the good fortune to be born in England and the better fortune
rn again a citizen of the United States.     Not long ago The London Spectator, which is the leading
1 weekly in England, had an article on Dr. Nourse's work with this lecture and asserted that he had
ore than any other one man to bring about the happy relations that now exist.
Tl > lecture has been re-written to fit the times, and is a humorous, philosophical and intensely enter-
discussion of the relations of the two greatest parts of the English speaking world, and also a dis-
! ** 0f the great question who shall govern the world, Slav, Celt or Anglo-Saxon.
FOOLISH VIRGINS
This is a new feature in the Lecture Course.     There have been scores of lectures about women but them.     " Foolish Virgins" has been given many times.     It shows the follies of women in their is to business, citizenship, society, men and their own sex.
THE BELIEF OF UNBELIEVERS
In this lecture Dr. Nourse demonstrates that the unbeliever believes more than the believer and on
, gyjjence.      It can be used in  Lyceum Courses, and is especially adapted to Y. M. C. A.  Courses.
ight to be in every course of lectures given by religious societies at least one in defense of the faith.
WHY I AM NOT AN INFIDEL
This has been published in response to the universal demand for it.     Its companion
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN
dually powerful and convincing.     They are especially commended for Sunday P. M. Services, and are ;d by Dr. Nourse in his evangelistic work.

PRESS    OPINIONS
ulience was very large.    The " Standing Room Only " , out.  The lecture was a remarkable one in many ways, n a dramatic standpoint was excellent.    Dr. Nourse ^^Hall the arts of the dramatic orator; and in the recita-^^Ke of the grisly dramatic passages of Mr. Stevenson's ul tale, he held his audience as with a fairy's spell.— kcintta/i Commercial Gci2ette, March u, 1889. DELAWARE, O. Nourse is indeed an eloquent and strong speaker.   His
I words were eagerly drank in by his large audience. 5 present listened to hit, tragic details in breathless »r were enraptured with the brilliancy of his thought The great truths were thrust home to the hearts of •s by that power and eloquence which marks him as 5 greatest of speakers.— College Transcript, Dela-February 19, 1898. is nothing commonplace about either the man or his lecture—both are original.—J.a Crosse Republican and Leader. LEXINGTON, KY. "urse is a happy speaker; at one moment he is plough -1 into the recesses of thought and the next is skimming v on the surface as the swallows on the bouyant air. s his audience to laughter by irresistible humor, sweeps A-ard on the tide of eloquence, dashes them here and the waves of logic and reason, only to drown them in touching pathos.— Kentucky New Era, May /, 1888. is wit, keen,   cutting  and pleasing;   his anecdotes; his ghable impersonations; his pronunciation and imagery; his Went flights of true eloquence—must all be considered in mf an estimate, and then you do not know him until you heard him.    We echo the desire of all when we say "Let 'e Mr. Nourse again."—The Morning Transcript, Lex fy., February 12, 1887.
MILWAUKEE WIS. a dual characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were vividly sted and described last evening at Grand Avenue Con-^^Bal Church, in a lecture delivered by Robert Nourse, liagton, a large audience having gathered to hear him. urse is not a stranger to Milwaukeeans, and his reception at showed that as a platform speaker he is popular here. * quite a mimic, something of an actor, and pictures out •ns propositions with cleverly acted stories that are naking.^T-^ Sentinel, Nov. 24, 1889. ST. PAUL, MINN. ,)ljrse is a remarkable example of the class of speakers ^^■Cnarm an audience, and vet say little that does them -ln print.— Pioneer Press, November 27, 1889.
NEW YORK.
This orator—orator in every sense of the word—holds his audiences spellbound for hours under the charm of his graphic, racy diction and resistless torrent of sound sense and unim¬peachable argument.— The Christian at Work, July 16, 1885. NORTHAMPTON, MAS?.
No report can do justice to this masterpiece of oratory. For nearly two hours the speaker held his audience with intensest interest, now thrilling them with his dramatic portrayals of character, now convulsing them with laughter by his sallies of wit, and anon moving them to tears by his pathos. It is safe to say that it was one of the greatest lectures ever given in this vicinity. The last scene in the laboratory, when Mr. Hyde had become hopeless of reformation, was a most consummate piece of dramatic presentation. The impersonation of the hopeless despair, and the raving, devilish rage, was awful.—North¬ampton Daily Herald, July 20, 1889. PORTLAND, ORE.
No speaker, not even Henry Ward Beecher, has ever given upon the lecture platform in Portland matter which could more fitly be called a great lecture.— The Morning Oregoniany A ugust 29, 1889.
PORTLAND, MAINE.
The lecture, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," given by Robert Nourse in the Union Course last evening, drew a crowded house, For nearly two hours the audience listened to such a flow of eloquence, combining strength, pathos and humor, as has never been heard in this place before. Dr. Nourse's pre¬sentation is a deeper conception than the story itself.—Portland Daily Press, January 7, 1890.
The Star course has given many delightful entertainments this season, but from an intellectual and instructive standpoint Dr. Nourse's lectures eclipse them all.—Morning Star, Wil-inington, N. C, March 9, 1898.
A large audience heard Robert Nourse lecture at the Opera House last night on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." It was a literary treat such as has not been furnished a Glens Falls assemblage since the days of John B. Gougb. Mr. Nourse is somewhat of a counterpart of Gough, a splendid actor and elo¬quent lecturer. Gougb, Dougherty and Nourse might be classed among the most charming talkers that Glens Falls audiences have had the*pleasure of hearing. At the risk of inviting the charge of poor taste in instituting comparisons, it may be said that Gough and Nourse led in lending force to their subject by introducing the qualities of the finished actor, while Dougherty surpassed both in the art of polished oratory.— The Morning Star, Glens Falls, N. Y.
Read the Press Notices.
Observe from whence and whom they come.   They are all genuine.   Thousa
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His work has aiw'aT
could be added.   If all were printed that have been published concerning Dr**
and his wonderful orations a large volume would have to be presented instead of this circular, and yet, during th years Dr. Nourse has been on the platform he has never written, asked for or paid for a notice. His work has alw ' his best advertisement.                                                                                                                                                               ' y* h,-,,,
" The Bells" is an even greater effort than the " Jekyll and Hyde" lecture delivered last year. It is sufficiently full of the dramatic to please persons who like the theatre, and there is enough of the pulpit oration in it to delight those who care not particularly for things that are secular. Augusta Chronicle, March rjf 1898.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y.
For two hours the audience was held spellbound by the elo¬quent language that flowed like lightning from the tongue of the lecturer. And at times when he paused to take a breath, a pin could have been heard to fall in any part of the house, so perfect was the silence.— The Saratoga Union, Jan. 31, 1890.
Dr. Robert Nourse delivered his lecture on Dr. Tek 11 Mr. Hyde before the Columbus Lyceum last night.' it I
*ndJ
VANCOUVER, B. C.
As was expected, the lecturer, while full of that which was intensely humorous, was above all things dramatic. It is too late in the day now for Mr. Nourse to go on the stage, but many a "star" in some of Shakespeare's dramas could learn a lesson from this preacher. The closing part of the lecture, the trans¬formation of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde; the dispair, the outcry, the picture of the gibbering, idiotic, sin-mastered wretch, were marvelous.— The Daily News Advertiser, Sept. IJ, 1888.
Dr. Nourse is a man of great personal attractiveness, of un¬usual eloquence and power; he belongs to a class all by him self.— The Religious Herald, Hartford, Conn., April 6,1899.
Of the distinguished lecturers of the season—Drs. Dowling and Nourse, the Hon. Daniel Dougherty and G. R. Horr— Nourse undoubtedly takes the palm.— The Daily Times, Somerset, Pa., January 5, 1889.
Rev. Robert Nourse is a large-brained, eloquent man, to whom it is a pleasure to listen. He is a thorough American, English born, almost devoid of prejudice, full of human nature, pathetic, humorous, sarcastic, interesting, compelling attention, and thoroughly enjoyable. One moment melting to tears, the next convulsing with laughter; intensely dramatic, replete with pathos and true oratory, his lecture was a treat. Such a lecture is a part of a liberal education. This sounds like strong praise, but it is fully deserved. He is an unusual man, and is entitled to unusual mention. To report his lecture would be like attempting to report the rendition of a symphony by a superb orchestra. Such things must be heard; they cannot be told.— The Daily Astorian {Ore.), Aug. 27, 1888.
Those of our people who have previously listened to this famous lecturer knew what to expect, but to those who were unacquainted with his glorious work, his lecture was a revela¬tion. Rev. Mr. Nourse is unquestionably the most satisfying man now before the public as a lecturer. His style is so bright and crisp, that one is charmed from the start, and follows him closely to the very end of what he has to say. He grasps his subject in a manner to impress one favorably, and handles it with so much eloquence that one is actually filled with enthusi asm. He is a capital story-teller, has great power of mimicry, and wit of the brightest order. His subject was one in which all could feel a deep interest. Every sentence revealed some new thought, and his eloquent delivery cast a spell over the audience that was not broken until he had finished.—Great Falls (N. H.) Journal.
"His lecture took the town."—REV. H. H. KELSEY, D. D., —Hartford, Conn., February 24, 1892.
of the most powerful lectures that has been heard urn platform this season.    Dr. Nourse possesses a remarkab^fl voice, capable of expressing every human passion.    Hef man of fine stage presence and has full mastery of the Fn l\ a language.    Dr. Nourse was educated as an actor, and his w last night showed conclusively that had he given his attenT - to the drama he would have become as famous as he is a 1 turer.    At times when he would transform himself from \h [ character of the dignified and courtly physician to the hide and repulsive dwarf into which he was transformed, his wo" was thrilling, and his audience listened spellbound, first to 11 ; sweet voice of Dr. Jekyll, and then, almost an instant afte 1 wards, to the hellish laughter and hiss of Mr. Hyde.   Parts of \ the lecture sparkled with jewels of wit and Hashes of humor that made it all  the more attractive.    The Enquirer S\ln Columbus, Ga.
A Notable Performance.
The lecture delivered on Tuesday evening last by Robert!
Nourse was a notable performance.   It was a platform master. I
piece.    In keen analysis of human character, in dramatic ! sentation of the contrasts of human motives and actions,
in depth of sympathy for the human kind, Dr. Nourse's I ture surpassed any similar utterance that has been made in 1
LaCrosse in many years.  It is not surprising that his delighted \ audience has manifested  the greatest enthusiasm over
entertaining lecture on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."— IMC>
( Wis.) Times, January 23, 1902.
Breathless.
Tuesday night the second number in the Star course was a great success.    The lecturer, Robert Nourse, gave his in able masterpiece on " Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and for two ] hours over six hundred and fifty people sat apparently bound | ; by the magic of this wonderful man ; at one moment convu I in laughter, the next in breathless apprehension of what was next to come.    In all, the lecture was among the best, it j the very best ever given in any of our five preceding courses.—Butler, Pa., November 13, 1900,
Witty, Happy, Philosophical.
Dr. Robert Nourse lectured on the subject "Dr. Jekyll and * Mr. Hyde" in Harmony Hall last night before a large audience that was very appreciative but slow in demonstrating it.   I is a witty speaker and delights in leaving the points of humor¬ous remarks just obscure enough to cause a moment's re flection It took the audience two moments to catch  the point some¬times, and simultaneously with the applause the lecturer woul( resume.    He is very happy, nevertheless, in a humorous vein, and none the less so in descriptions of dramatic scenes.   I often suggests the retired actor, but instead  he was once Congregational preacher.   His language is choice, his delive is well  studied but easy and forcible, and  the philosopnic thoughts he derived from Stevenson's famous story were a well timed.—Galveston News, Texas.
He is a strong man intellectually, of good presence, P.le£s,° manners, a highly marked and individual face; voice ricn i well  attuned—in short, he  is an artist.    His lecture was finished piece of wit bristling with gems of richest ^y0^ A His conclusion was a code of ethics.—Evening Sentinel, $0 Norwalk, Conn., February 26, 1892.