EXPLANATIONS

A sermon repeated after this manner, is like the composition of a poet in the mouth of a graceful actor.

Answer: This remarkable and conspicuous sentence has been taken from the essay “Sir Roger at Home” by Joseph Addi. on. Here the writer tells about the matter and manner of a sermon. This extract also bears a didactic tone.

Mr. Spectator had the opportunity to make a visit to the country house of Sir Roger. There Mr. Spectator came in touch with a clergyman. The clergyman was in charge of looking after the welfare of the parish and the parishioners. Sir Roger spoke very highly of this clergyman. Sir Roger also spoke about the clergyman that the clergyman had a graceful figure and clear delivery. Addison here agreed with Sir Roger that a country clergyman should have an oratorical power and a presentable personality. The clergyman was a person of good sense, some learning, and a very regular life obliging conversation. Not only these qualities, but he also had a good aspect, a clear voice, a sociable temper, and a kind heart. Sir Roger’s clergyman used to give a sermon from the list of sermons that had been written by great religious thinkers of the past. According to Addison, this practice was a sensible one. The great writer’s thoughts were given correct and skillful expression through a clear voice and a perfect manner of speaking by the clergyman. The listeners could not but be impressed and learn a great deal too. It was like a good actor speaking some famous lines of some dramatist. Matter and manner were well combined. This extract exposes a witty simile.

To sum up, we may say that through this sentence Addison says that a sermon delivered in a distinct, clear, and graceful voice would have the effect of a good actor on the stage of a drama to the minds of the listeners. A sermon repeated in this manner would surely impress and captivate the listener like the writing of a poet or a dramatist.