Knowing that “true ease in writing comes from art, not chance,” F W Boreham observed good speakers and studied the style of those he selected as his literary models.[1] He was a wordsmith who delighted in the beauty of finding the right words and he recognized with reverence their mystical power and spirit. To capture the imagination Boreham penned words that were concrete, visual and vivid. Always seeking to “grip the hearts and sway the minds” his language was designed to arrest and persuade readers of the Saturday newspaper with a captivating title, lively prose, intriguing detail and a bombardment of images.[2]His enjoyment of the task and enthusiasm for his subject was always evident even if it led him to lapse into ornate language and exaggerated claims. Boreham’s theological writing lacked an intellectual and analytical depth because of the constraints of editorial space and his views about sentiment and emotion.[3] In the heady world of theological scholarship, Boreham’s editorials deserve to be studied for their appeal to the emotions and the simplicity and freshness of language that is required, especially for presenting theology to a general readership.
Geoff Pound
Image: “F W Boreham observed good speakers and studied the style of those he selected as his literary models.” Joseph Parker of the City Temple, one of the speakers FWB heard often in his days in London.
[1] Alexander Pope, An essay on criticism, l. 362.
[2] F W Boreham, My pilgrimage,140.
[3] For examples, Boreham, Mercury, 4 May 1957; Mercury, 3 September 1957.