Novel Use for Phonograph — Dictates Sermons

1909

Dictates Sermons Into Machine and Then Listens to Them

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 6. — Rev. R. G. Ramsay, pastor of the Northminster Presbyterian Church of this city, has evolved a brand-new idea which he finds so helpful in the preparation of his sermons, that he believes other ministers will adopt it as soon as its real utility becomes known.

It is nothing more nor less than to dictate his sermons into a phonograph, then turn on the machine and listen to the reproduction of his own voice. Not only does he then get a clear idea of just "how it will sound" when his congregation hears it, but he saves time and labor writing out his notes, and by listening to the repetition of the sermon two or three times has it fixed in his mind so that he does not need a manuscript in the pulpit.

"I have entirely escaped the feeling of physical exhaustion that always followed writing out a sermon with pen or typewriter," said Mr. Ramsay. "I find, too, that my memory retains better what comes into my ear than that which I merely read. It is a great saving on the eyes, as there is no strain on them whatever. The phonograph records provide an easy way of retaining a record of each sermon, and if I do not want to preserve any sermon, I can shave the records off and use them again and again. The expense is no larger, I believe, than paper and ink would be for the same number of words. I believe that if ministers generally knew what a help the phonograph is they would all use it."