MRS. BEATRICE MAYE’S This I/If 86* kl GREENVILLE IF YOU ARE TO SPEAK Everybody is making speeches these days—in the pulpit, at civic clubs, before lodges, schools, and other groups. Someone has jokingly said, “It has got to the place today that whenever two men meet on the street, one of them pulls out a gavel and calls the meeting to order.” So many are the meetings, and so great is the demand for speakers, that anyone who has attained a degree of prominence or popularity may be called upon to give a speech. For those who may not have wide experience, the following suggestions are given: 1. Who is going to be present? Men? Women? Young people? A mix ed group? Your choice of material will depend a lot on those who are to hear you. The Woman’s Club is in terested in something entirely dif ferent from the DeMolays, and the Kiwanis Club from the Boy Scouts. You will not want to preach an evangelistic sermon to a group which has no sinners to convert, nor would the PTA want a lecture on metallurgy. Be sure your speech fits your audience. 2. What is the purpose of the talk? Is it to inform? Teach? Inspire? Challenge? Stir to action? Deepen faith? Entertain? People are too busy to listen to speeches that have no point to them. Be sure you know, before you start, exactly what you hope to accomplish. 3. Choose an interesting title. This will create interest, arouse the curiosity, and tell something of the topic to be discussed. If a minister were to announce, simply, “Faith,” nobody would be particularly in terested. But if he were to choose, “Can Faith Move Mountains Today?” people would wonder what he was going to say. Be sure you do not mislead people by announcing “The First Five Minutes After Death,” and then give them a sermon on money, liquor or gambling. They will feel they have been tricked, and will not trust you again. 4. Where will you get material? If the speech is before a church group, you will want to use (1) the Bible; (2) a Bible concordance; (3) a Bible dic tionary; (4) a Bible commentary; (5) books'of illustrations; (6) current events; (7) history; or (8) poetry. If you are speaking to a secular group on a secular topic, you will find books in the public library written by men who are authorities in their field; encyclopedias will give you a background of the past, and things accomplished, and trade or profes sional magazines will bring you up to date. You will also find that inter views and personal experiences pro vide much interesting material. 5. How will you arrange the material? Keeping in mind the amount of time you will have at your disposal in giving the speech, make a simple outline of the principal things you have to say. You will probably not want to have more than three or four divisions, so they will be easy to remember. Then, under each one, fill in the facts, figures and illustrations that bring out clearly what you want to get over to the group. You will want to arrange your material logically, leading to a definite conclusion; if it is of a historical nature, naturally you will begin with the past, indicate the bearing that it has on the present, and conclude with a prophetic note con cerning the future. Once you have your speech written out, completely master the material, but do not attempt to memoriae it word for word. If you do, and you forget something, it will leave you completely bewildered. Rather, memorize your outline, and express what you have to say in your own words. You may have the outline before you when you speak, if you are not sure of yourself, but do not use it unless absolutely necessary. The speaker who has to keep locking at notes soon loses the attention of the audience. 6. What things should be observed in delivering the speech? (1) Watch your voice. Keep on the low tones, for they carry better than the high, shrill notes. Be sure you are speaking loud enough to be heard, for a speech goes utterly to waste on those who cannot hear it. If you an speaking in a large room, without the aid of a microphone, then is nothing wrong with inquiring if those in the back can hear you. Enunciate and ar ticulate clearly. Vary the force and tempo of your voice to suit the senti ment. Make use of the pause to create suspense, and stir the inuudnatfon. Don’t attempt to be oratorical, unless you an particularly gifted along that line. Use the conversational tone, ability to make people laugh, use good judgment in your choice of stories. You will not, of course, cheapen yourself by telling any which are vulgar. Neither will you embar rass the speaker by telling some old joke and claiming it happened to him. You will find that a man will make a lot better speech if what you say makes him feel good, instead of throwing him into confusion by telling thing which make him flush with shame. On the other hand, if you are one of those who are not clever in telling stories, don’t attempt it, for the listeners will laugh at you instead of the stories. You can do a nice job of introducing a speake without the stories, and still have the regard of all. 2. At the close of the speech, thank him graciously for having brought the message. If you can honestly do so, compliment him highly, but if it was so dull that people heartily wish ed he had never come, don’t make out like it was wonderful, for nobody knows better than he that it was not. Nevertheless, you can sincerely ex press your appreciation for his will ingness to be on the program. There are very few speeches in which there are not some fine things, and even if the delivery was poor, you can make him feel goal by commenting, “I par ticularly like what our speaker had to say about_” If the speaker is commonly known to be long-winded, you might tactfully mention before you start in on your introduction that the meeting started on the dot, and has moved briskly along, so that the speaker will get in his full time and yet the group will be dismissed on the hour. Asbur '^1 I LINCOLNVILLE AME CHUKL'H AND COMMUNITY NEWS BY ANNIE PERRY ASBURY—Sunday School began at 9:45 a.m. with the superintendent, Alton Hooker, in charge. The opening selection was “0 Holy Night.” The Apostles’ Creed was recited by the school. Prayer was offered by Ms. Nellie Penny. Subject of the lesson was “What Does Jesus Mean To You?’ It was taken from Luke 2:8-12, John 10:11-18. The key verse was from John 10:10. The lesson was reviewed by the school. Secretary is Ms. Ann Isaac. Superintendent is Alton Hooker. Pastor is Rev. Robert L. Goode. Morning worship began at ll a.m. with the pastor, Rev. Goode, presiding, and the local elders assisting. The acolytes lit the candles, followed by the processional by the choir. Prayer was offered by Rev. Robert Goode. The hymn of praise was “Silent Night.” Morning prayer was offered by by this writer. The selection, “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” was follow ed by scripture lesson and Decalogue by Rev. Goode. The mission and general offerings were lifted. The of fertory sentence was “All Things Come Of Thee, 0 Lord.” An nouncements, recognition of visitors and notices were led by Ms. Carolyn Rogers. Children’s moments were presented by Ms. Lucille Cotton. Altar prayer came from Rev. Collins Ridley. The sermonic hymn, led by Ms. Lucille Hooker, was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The morning message was delivered by the pastor from Mat thew and Luke 2:7 on the subject, “What Did You Do With Your Christmas Gift Last Year?” The Lord’s Prayer was chanted, followed by the invitation to Christian disciples hip. The invitational selec tion was “Jesus, Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child.” Doxology was followed by the benediction. The con gregation was asked to be seated for a moment of quiet reflection. ANNOUNCEMENTS Noonday prayer service is held each Wednesday. Prayer service is also held Wednesdays at 7 p.m., along with Bi ble study. Watch Night service will be held Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. Please Join us in a letter-writing and card campaign to Ms. Vera Goode’s brother, E-5 Mark I. Martin, 236213004,44th Medical Brigade, 85th Evacuation Hospital, APO New York, N.Y. 08887. Also, Ms. Cabo McKay’s grand daughter, PFC Angela B. Hall, 200445344, HHC 57th Signal Battalion, 3rd Signal Brigade, APO New York. N.Y. 08107. Happy belated birthday goes out to Ms. Juanita Williams. Dec. 35; Ms., Lula Cotton, Dec. 30; David J. Cotton, Dec. 38, son of the late Redrick R Cotton, Sr. and Ms. Lenora Cotton; Ms. Mary E. Evans, Dec. 27; Ms. looker, Dec. 30; Benjamin on of Ms. Hattie M. Hooker, Dec. 30. We hope that all of you had happy birthdays. We pray that God win dmss you all > and a Year. In memory of my late brother, whose birthday was Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Also Mother Ms. Elmirdie P. Rowe, daughter Rev. Annie Perry. Gone but not forgotten. Let us keep on praying for the sick and shut-in all oyer the world. Also pray for the senior citizens all over. Don’t forget to pray one for the other. We all need as much prayer as we can get. Prayer is the key to the kingdom and faith unlocks the door. We cannot let the devil fool us. Our sick are Willie White, Glover Pennington, Ms. Mary E. Evans, Sam Williams, Ms. Sophronia Wright, Rev. Odell Wright. We are still pray ing for Nathaniel Hooker and Grover Wilcox. We are very glad to know there are others doing nicely. We thank and praise God for everything He’s done. Because we know prayer changes thinoc Rhamkatte BY LUCILLE ALSTON RHAMKATTE-Sunday School began at 9:30 a m. with all classes reporting. Superintendent Albertine Sanders presided. The subject of the lesson was “What Does Jesus Mean To You?” taken from Luke 2:8-12, John 10:11-18. The key verse was read by the school. Classes had a 45-minute study period. The adult class was taught by Otho Kearney. The lesson was reviewed by Thomas Burt. The report was made by the ac ting secretary, Ms. Burt, and the class closed. At ll a.m., Rev. A.D. Terrell spoke from Luke 24:48, using for a subject, “Tell the Story.” Music was furnish ed by the Mass Choir, with Emanuel McNeil at the piano. Betty Duell gave the morning prayer. The responsive reading was led by O.C. Kearney. Kimberly Crutchers recognized the visitors. Announcements were made by Sadie Chavis. Mini-church was led by Lee Nipper. Altar call came from Betty Rogers. Rev. Terrell left the congregation with a message on how we must put Christ back in Christmas. God gave the first Christmas gift. Love is action. Our King is coming back. My God is an everyday God. Tell the whole story. Our love is dead without faith. Our mission is to bring someone to God. We need to have love and tell the whole story. Invitation to Christian discipleship was extended. John D. Holmes Fleshia Mitchell and Ms. Morgan joined the Christian fellowship. The Apostles’ Creed was followed by the closing. The Christmas program was held immediately after morning service. ANNOUNCEMENTS Watch Night service will be held at Lincolnville Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. Rev. A.J. Holmes of St. James, Method, will give the meditation. On Jan. 6, 1991, the Gospel Choir will celebrate its 17th anniversary. On Jan. 13, 1991, Martin Luther King Day will be oberved. Rovenia Coleman and Oma Singletary will be in charge of the service. On Jan. 13, 1991, at 4 p.m., Group No. 2 will sponsor a play, “The Glory Road.” Known sick and shut-in of the com munity are Kathleen Hemby, John Singletary, Edna Matthews, Mary Utley, Lola McClain, Howard Beckwith, Walter Rogers, Jr., Ella Fletcher, Margaret Kearney. Let us keep praying for the sick everywhere. God is still in the healing business. The senior citizens of the Rhamkatte community want to thank all our young people for their love and grace in song and gifts. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all. We want to thank our girls at the YWCA Golden Oaks for the Christmas dinner and gifts they gave us. We love you all. God bless you. HTNESS CRUCIAL