Lectures on the History of Preaching - John A. Broadus

John Broadus was one of the founding faculty of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Professor of Homiletics. He delivered these five lectures to a popular audience at Newton Theological Institution in 1875. A favorite sample:

The brief speech of Jotham (Jud. ix) is noteworthy, for although a purely secular speech, it offers several points of suggestion to preachers. (1) He had a magnificent pulpit, standing high on the steep sides of Mt. Gerizim---and some people appear to think the pulpit a great matter in preaching. (2) He had a powerful voice, for although beyond the reach of arrow or sling, he could make himself heard far below. This is not only an important gift for open-air preaching, but it will be indispensable for all preachers if we are to have many more of these dreadful Gothic churches, which are so admirable for everything except the proper object of a church, to be a place for speaking and hearing. (3) He employed a striking illustration, a fable. (4) He applied the illustration, in a very direct and outspoken manner, without fear or favor. (5) He ran away from the sensation he had made.