From the Introduction.THIS little volume deserves attention apart from its memorial character. Its level and range of thought, and its literary quality, are of a high order. Those especially who would cultivate the power of apt and effective public speaking will find in it much that is helpful.It is capable of a yet higher service, and for a wider circle. Whatever presents to the mind a true ideal, and quickens the energies necessary to its pursuit, has a universal value and is fitted to gain permanent influence. This ideal may specially concern a particular profession, yet its elevation and nobleness belong to all pure and lofty aims and bring them to view, and the strenuous purpose revealed in its pursuit in any direction of effort is identical or accordant with the resolution demanded for the cultivation of excellence in all other spheres in which it may be attained. It is in this way that the following pages, even those most exclusively occupied with the objects and methods of a single calling, will attract and influence, it is hoped, men of other vocations, and, indeed, so far as they become known, every generous and aspiring mind. This their wider adaptation and import will doubtless appear at once to anyone who will carefully peruse them. Yet a brief reference to some facts personal to the author of the lectures, sermons, and other productions here gathered together may not be superfluous.Professor Pease was endowed with unusual gifts for linguistic and literary pursuits. The Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German, Spanish, Italian languages were easily at his command, and he was unusually conversant with the best in their literatures. He had a strong natural predilection for aesthetic studies. The call came to him to take up the work of a preacher of the gospel and of a pastor. Fearing lest his love of "belles lettres," if he wrote his sermons, would hazard or mar their essential quality as addresses, converting them more or less into essays, he early determined to speak to men directly and under the influence of their immediate presence. Perfecting in every way his conception of the possible power and highest objects of such address, he gave himself with remarkable assiduity and strength of resolution to the realization of his ideal. He was first and most of all a diligent student of the Word of God, reading it in the original languages with critical care, catching with ear attent the very "accent of the Holy Ghost."...