THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
letics and Preaching (New York, 1834). This pioneer work has been followed by a long and brilliant line of continuance. Distinguished professors and preachers have produced a literature great in sum, for the most part excellent in quality, and devoted to every phase of the work of preaching. The Yale Lectureship on Preaching, founded in 1S71, has added some notable works to homiletical literature. Homiletics has long been an established discipline in the curricula of theological schools of all the leading denominations of Christians in the United States.
As to the word " homiletics " the etymology, while interesting, does not throw much light upon the present usage. After the analogy of other scientific nomenclature the term has obtained recognition, though by no means exclu- 12. Defini- sive use, as describing the body of
tion and knowledge and principles pertaining Treatment, to the composition and delivery of sermons. Most of the treatises on the subject appear under other and various titles, though the largest number under any one title employ the term " homiletics." One of the best known American books on the subject bears the title A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons (by J. A. Broadus, Philadelphia, 1870, 25th ed., by E. C. Dargan, New York, 1905), and another is The Theory of Preaching (by A. Phelps, New York, 1881). These may be accepted as definitions of homiletics; to which may be added the elaborate statement of Dr. W. M. Taylor in his article in the first edition of this work: "It is the science which treats of the analysis, classification, preparation, composition, and delivery of sermons, viewed as addressed to the popular mind on subjects suggested by the word of God, and designed for the conversion of sinners and the edification of believers (ii. 1014). " And this may be taken as a representative statement of the Anglo-American view of homiletics. Preaching is primarily a distinctive institution of Christianity, and secondarily a kind of public speaking. This order of thought determines the relation of homiletics to general rhetoric and should make discussion unnecessary. Any wise and earnest study of the best methods of presenting the truths of the gospel to the people in such manner as to win acceptance for them, must take account of what history, experience, and culture bring forward as the tested principles of successful public speaking. Homiletics, therefore, may rightly be regarded as the application of rhetoric to preaching. But the origin, history, concomitants, materials, and aims of preaching are so different from those of other kinds of public speaking as to require distinctive treatment. Treatises and courses of homiletical instruction differ in many details, but the essentials are not far to seek. The four leading topics of homiletics are: Material, Arrangement, Style, Delivery, or, in the old Latin terminology: Inventio, Dispositio, Elocutio, Pronunciatio. Under " Materials " first place belongs to Scripture, and the selection, interpretation, exposition, and enforcement of Bible texts is to be considered. Other materials of discourse, such as narrative, description, argument, illustration, and
application have their place. In " Arrangement " or " Division," custom and proprieties call for some peculiarities of sermon analysis; but in general the usual counsels of rhetoric are here applicable. For " Style " or " Diction," homiletics urges the importance of the grammatical qualities of correctness and propriety, and of the rhetorical qualities of clearness and force, with such attention to beauty or ornament as may serve the higher ends of preaching. In " Delivery " homiletics considers three methods: reading from manuscript, recitation from memory of a previously written discourse, speaking freely after various sorts or degrees of previous preparation. Anglo-American homiletics takes little account of recitation; a few homileticians practise and defend reading from manuscript; but the consensus of opinion and practise decidedly favors the so-called extemporaneous method, while insisting upon thorough preparation. Elocution, or the training and practise of voice and gesture, is sometimes taught under homiletics and sometimes made a special discipline. Together with these technical aspects of homiletics there are a number of closely related and highly important subjects which claim incidental or special treatment according to circumstances, such as the character of the preacher, his view of his work, his relation to his age and people, his habits and methods of study, and many other matters which directly and powerfully influence his preaching. E. C. Dargan.
Literature. — An exhaustive list is not attempted; only those books which are considered most important or representative are mentioned. Works dealing with related subjects, such as Pastoral Theology and the History of Preaching, are omitted.
Bibliography: In spite of what is said in the text, such "works on rhetoric as J. Genung, Outlines of Rhetoric, Boston, 1893, and A. S. Hill, Principles of Rhetoric, New York, 1895, may not be neglected in laying a foundation for the work of preaching. Of historical importance are: W Perkins, The Arte of Prophecying, 1613; J. Wilkina, Ecclesiastes, or a Discourse concerning the Gift of Preaching, London, 1646; J. Glanvil, Essay concerning Preaching, ib. 1678; T. Blackwell, Methodus Evangelica, ib. 1712; Sir Richard Blackmore, The Accomplished Preacher, ed. J. White, 1731; P. Doddridge, Lectures on Preaching and the Ministerial Office, London, 1751; G. Campbell, Lectures on Pulpit Eloquence, ib. 1775; E. Porter, Lectures on Homiletics and Preaching, New York, 1834. Among the many handbooks and treatises the following may be reckoned important: T. H. Skinner, Aids to Preaching and Hearing, New York, 1839; J. W. Alexander, Thoughts on Preaching, 1861; D. P. Kidder, Treatise on Homiletics, ib., 1864; T. J. Potter, Sacred Eloquence, London, 1866; idem, The Spoken Word, ib. 1872; W. G. T. Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, New York, 1867; R. L. Dabney, Sacred Rhetoric, Richmond, 1806; J. Parker, Ad Clerum, London, 1870; G. W. Hervey, Christian Rhetoric, New York, 1873; C. H. Spurgeon, Lectures to my Students, 3 series, London, 1875-94; R. f" Storrs, Conditions of Success in Preaching without Notes, New York, 1875; A. Vinet, Homiletique, Paris, 1874, Eng. transl., Homiletics, New York, 1880 (long a standard); 11. Simpson, Lectures on Preaching, ib. 1879; H. W. Beecher, Yale Lectures on Preaching, ib. 1881; H. Burgess, The Art of Preaching, London, 1881; R. W. Dale, Lectures on Preaching, ib. 1882; A. Phelps, Theory of Preaching, lb. 1882; idem, Men and Books, ib. 1882; idem, English Style in Pulpit Discourse, ib. 1883 (Professor Phelps was reckoned one of the great masters in homiletics); J. ^ Hoppin, Homiletics, ib. 1883; A. Kraus, Lehrbuch dtr Homiletik, Gotha, 1883; N. J. Burton, Lectures on Preaching, New York, 1884; F. W. Fiske, A Manual of Preach-