"Spare me, sir!" "Oh, that's all you've got to say, is it? Yes, I'll flog you within an inch of your life, and spare you that." One cruel blow had fallen on him, when Nicholas Nickleby cried "Stop!" "Who cried 'Stop'?" "I did. This must not go on." "Must not go on?” "No! Must not! Shall not! I will prevent it! You have disregarded all my quiet interference in this miserable lad's behalf; you have returned no answer to the letter in which I begged forgiveness for him, and offered to be responsible that he would remain quietly here. Don't blame me for this public interference. You have brought it upon yourself, not I." "Sit down, beggar!" "Wretch, touch him again at your peril! I will not stand by and see it done. My blood is up, and I have the strength of ten such men as you. By Heaven! I will not spare you, if you drive me on! I have a series of personal insults to avenge, and my indignation is aggravated by the cruelties practised in this cruel den. Have a care, or the consequences will fall heavily upon your head!" Squeers, in violent outbreak, spat at him, and struck him a blow across the face. Nicholas instantly sprung upon him, wrested his weapon from his hand, and, pinning him by the throat, beat the ruffian till he roared for mercy. He then flung him away with all the force he could muster, and the violence of his fall precipitated Mrs. Squeers over an adjacent form; Squeers, striking his head against the same form in his descent, lay at his full length on the ground, stunned and motionless. "Nicholas Nickleby." DICKENS. CHAPTER XII BIBLE READING In Nehemiah 13, 8 are these words: "And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading." This verse contains a concise treatise on the art of Bible reading. Before a reader, however, can give the sense to others, he must have a deep realization of the truth he is uttering. Careful analysis will give a clear understanding of the thought, and "brooding" over it will awaken true feeling. The reader's mental attitude should be one of dignity, genuineness and simplicity. He should feel that he is delivering a message to himself as well as to others. He must be thoroughly in sympathy with his theme and the occasion. The common faults in Bible reading are monotony, artificiality, pomposity, drawling, mannerism, familiarity, lifelessness, indistinctness, excessively high pitch, somberness, and rocking to and fro of the body. The principal divisions of Bible reading are: 1. Narrative, or the story-telling style. As the name implies it is colloquial in character and divided into familiar and elevated, the latter requiring greater fervor, force, and dignity than the former. It usually comprises a series of pictures and the portrayal of character. 2. Didactic, or the teacher's style, is directed more particularly to the reason and judgment of the hearer. Spe 180 cial attention is here given to pausing, emphasis, and inflection, tho appropriate feeling is equally important. 3. Prophetic, or dramatic style, requires increased fervor and energy, and all the depth and fulness of orotund voice. It may be bold or gentle, according to its particular character. 4. Lyric, or musical style, by its rhythm and melody demands increased expression and intensity in feeling, running through all the various emotions of joy, sorrow, adoration, grief, etc. PASSAGES FOR PRACTISE NARRATIVE: Familiar-Gen. 4, 1-15; Gen. 22, 1-13; Gen. 24; John 4, 1-14; 1 Sam. 3, 1-18; Luke 15, 11-32. Elevated—Gen. 1, 24-31; Gen. 7, 11-24; Gen. 15, 1-18; Exod. 3, 1-20; Exod. 14, 5-31; 1 Kings 8, 1-63; Acts 26, 1-29 DIDACTIC: Prov. 15, 1-11; Matt. 6, 24-34; 1 Cor. 15; Rom. 3; Rom. 11. PROPHETIC: Is. 55; Jo. 2, 1-11; Is. 41; Is. 42; Hos. 14; Rev. 21. LYRIC: Didactic-Ps. 1. Pathos-Ps. 6. Tranquillity-Ps. 8. Praise-Ps. 63. Majesty-Ps. 97. Solemnity-Ps. 139, 1-14. Also Ps. 18, 19, 22, 29, 30, 31, 38, 65, 90, 104; Exod. 15; Luke 1, 46-55; Book of Job; The Song of Solomon. |