you, because it is eternal. If your mind falters in its leadership the sword

will drop from your hands. Your assumption of being able to instruct or lead or

inspire a multitude or even a small group of people may appall you as being

colossal impudence--as indeed it may be; but having once essayed to speak, be

courageous. _BE_ courageous--it lies within you to be what you will. _MAKE_

yourself be calm and confident.

 

Reflect that your audience will not hurt you. If Beecher in Liverpool had spoken

behind a wire screen he would have invited the audience to throw the over-ripe

missiles with which they were loaded; but he was a man, confronted his hostile

hearers fearlessly--and won them.

 

In facing your audience, pause a moment and look them over--a hundred chances to

one they want you to succeed, for what man is so foolish as to spend his time,

perhaps his money, in the hope that you will waste his investment by talking

dully?

 

_Concluding Hints_

 

Do not make haste to begin--haste shows lack of control.

 

Do not apologize. It ought not to be necessary; and if it is, it will not help.

Go straight ahead.

 

Take a deep breath, relax, and begin in a quiet conversational tone as though