A young preacher must get accustomed to the sound of his own voice; if naturally timid, he must learn to face an audience and must first learn to speak; afterwards he may learn to speak well.

It is a wise thing for a young man to begin his labors in a small congregation; he has more time for study, a better chance to become intimately acquainted with individual characters, and also a smaller audience to face.

The first congregation that I was called to take charge of, in Burlington, N.J.contained about forty families.

Three or four of these were wealthy and cultivated, the rest were plain mechanics, with a few gardeners and coachmen.

I made my sermons to suit the comprehension of the gardeners and coachmen at the end of the house, leaving the cultivated portion to gain what they could from the sermon on its way.