Chapter I: Front Matter

[Transcriber's note: I dedicate this transcription to the Very
Reverend Richard Trout of Corpus Christi Parish, Celebration,
Florida. His gentle and moving homilies are perfect examples of
the style and content recommended by this author. As the
preface observes, the many references to nineteenth century
France may not all apply to our times, but people and cultures
are remarkably similar over time and distance.]

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The Clergy And The Pulpit
In Their Relations To The People.

By M. L'Abbé Isidore Mullois,

Chaplain To The Emperor Napoleon III.,
And Missionary Apostolic.

Translated By

George Percy Badger,

Late Chaplain In The Diocese Of Bombay,
Author Of "The Nestorians and Their Rituals," Etc.

First American Edition.

New-York:

The Catholic Publication Society,
Lawrence Kehoe, General Agent,
126 Nassau Street.
1867.

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John A. Gray & Green, Printers,
16 and 18 Jacob Street, New-York.

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Preface To The American Edition.

This excellent translation of the now celebrated work of the Abbé Mullois is presented to the American public with every assurance that it will meet with a most cordial welcome.

It is a live book; full of earnest words, fresh from the heart no less than from the head of the devout and zealous author. It has gained an unwonted popularity in France, where it has already passed through many editions. No less than twenty thousand copies are said to be in the hands of as many ecclesiastics.

We judge it to be one of the most timely books that could be offered to our own clergy, who will find much in these pages to encourage and stimulate them in their arduous pastoral duties. {6} The sceptical spirit which pervades a large mass of the French people, hardly yet recovered from the fearful shock which their faith received in the Revolution, is one which, happily, we in America have not to contend with; and the suggestions of the author in reference to this are, of course, of no practical moment to us: but the principle that underlies every subject of which the author treats is a universal one, applicable at all times and to every nation: "To address men well, they must be loved much." This is the title of the first chapter, and the key to the whole work.

It is written in a pleasing, familiar style, with an unction that endues every sentence with an irresistible power of conviction and persuasion. Its perusal cannot fail of exerting a most healthful influence upon the character and tone of the discourses which the reader may be called upon by virtue of his office to deliver for the instruction and edification of the people committed to his spiritual care.

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Author's Preface.

It is surprising that whereas, during the last three centuries, many books have been published on the mode of preaching to the higher classes, scarcely any thing has been written on the same subject with reference to the people, or lower orders. It seems to have been thought that the latter ought to be satisfied with the crumbs which might fall from the table provided for the educated portion of society.

Nevertheless, nothing could be more opposed to the spirit of the Gospel; which is specially addressed to the poor and humble--"He hath anointed Me to preach to the poor." The Fathers of the early Church did not consider it beneath their genius to write treatises on the manner of communicating religious instruction to the people. The people form nearly the whole of the population. {8} In France, they number twenty-three out of a total of twenty-five millions; yet, strange to say, they are quite overlooked. The educated two millions appear to have assumed that they constitute France, and that France has so willed it. But if a few men were to arise capable of laying hold of the instincts of the multitude, were it only of one of the emotions which stir them, they would soon undeceive those who fancy that the people are under their guidance. We know something by experience on that score.

There is a prevailing conviction among the well-disposed that nothing but religion can save us; that France must either once more become Christian or perish. But in order that religion may exercise a beneficial influence over the masses, it must be brought into contact with them; and that can only be done by the preaching of the Word, agreeably with the inspired declaration:--"Faith cometh by hearing."

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It is much more difficult than is imagined to preach to the common people, because they are so little conversant with spiritual things, and so much absorbed in what is material. It is more difficult to address them than the wealthier classes; for, in addressing the latter, one has only to fall in with the current of their ideas; whereas in preaching to the former, we have to bring high and sublime thoughts within the grasp of feeble intelligences. Besides, there exists among the masses a certain amount of knowledge more or less superficial, and none is more difficult to direct than a half-taught man.

The foregoing considerations have led us to indite this little treatise; wherein our object has been not to lay down any specific rules, but simply to set forth the teachings of experience. What we most need nowadays is a popular religious literature to meet the temper and wants of the people. Such a literature does not exist. It should be based entirely on the national character and on the precepts of the Gospel. Invested with those two qualities, it would become an irresistible agency for good, and would act as powerfully on the educated few as on the unlettered many. {10} It might inaugurate the regeneration of our literature by restoring to it vitality, naturalness, and dignity. The time has come for taking up the cause of the people in earnest. The community generally is impressed with that conviction, and manifests a praiseworthy desire to encourage every effort for ameliorating their moral condition. Upward of one hundred thousand volumes specially designed for them are sold every year. Worldly-minded men, too, are anxious to foster the movement; finding that those who show a disposition to benefit the masses are sure to meet with countenance, sympathy, and even veneration. Moreover, we are at present in the enjoyment of profound calm. Heretofore, the apology for delay was:--"Let us wait to see the upshot of passing events; for who knows what may become of us; who knows but that we may be driven from our own homes?" The evil-disposed have had their day; let us see what honest folk may and can do.

Let us mutually co-operate, piously and charitably, to become once more a united people and country--a France with one heart and one soul. 'Twill be the beginning of blessedness.

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Contents.

Page
Preface To The American Edition, 5

Preface By The Author, 7

Chapter I. 15

To Address Men Well, They Must Be Loved Much.

The Gospel enjoins universal Benevolence.
The Men of the present Age have a special Claim to our Love.
The success of Preaching depends upon our loving them.
Wherein true Apostolical Eloquence consists.

Chapter II. 40

The People.

The actual State of the People.
Their good and bad Qualities.
The People in large Cities.
The People in small Towns.
The People in rural Districts.
How to benefit these Three Classes of the People.
One powerful Means is to act upon the People through the upper
Classes, and upon the latter through the former.

Chapter III. 118

The Order Of A Sermon.

The Exordium.
Divisions.
Proofs.
Are there many Unbelievers in France?
Manner of refuting Objections.

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Chapter IV. 136

The Sermon Should Be Popular.

What constitutes true Popularity?
Popularity in Words, in Thought, in Sentiment.
One of the most popular Sentiments in France is Patriotism.
Means to utilize that Sentiment.
The Relationship between Popularity and Genius.
Demosthenes.
Saint John Chrysostom.
Daniel O'Connell.

Chapter V. 160

The Sermon Should Be Plain.

An obscure Sermon is neither Christian nor French.
Abuse of philosophical Terms.
Philosophical Speculations not popular amongst us.
The French mind is clear and logical.
Plainness of Speech.
Plainness of Thought.
Starting from the Known to the Unknown.
Metaphors.
Similes.
Parables.
Facts.
Père Lejeune.
M. l'Abbé Ledreuil.

Chapter VI. 183

The Sermon Should Be Short.

The Discourses of the Fathers were short.
The French Mind is quick to apprehend.
Sermons are generally too long.
Sermons of Ten, Seven, and of Five Minutes.

Chapter VII. 197

Tact And Kindliness.

We should assume that our Hearers are what we wish them to be.
Reproaches to be avoided.
How to address Unbelievers.
Special Precautions to be taken in small Towns and Rural Districts.
How to treat Men during times of public Commotion.
Forbearance due to the Church for being obliged.
to receive Money from the Faithful.

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Chapter VIII. 222

Interest. Emotion, and Animation.

We should endeavor to excite Interest by Thoughts, by Sallies or
Epigrams, by Studies of Men and Manners.
The Truth should be animated.
The Père Ravignan.
The Père Lacordaire.
The Heart is too often absent.

Chapter IX. 243

The Power And Accent Of Conviction.

The Divine Word has always been the first Power in the World.
The Gospel still the first of Books.
There can be no Christian Eloquence
without the Accent of personal Conviction.

Chapter X. 254

Action.

Action should be:
first, true and natural;
secondly, concentrated;
thirdly, edifying.
It should be cultivated.
How cultivated by the Society of Jesus Suggestions.

Chapter XI. 275

Study.

Study a Duty.
The State of the World calls for
Knowledge on the part of the Clergy.
Knowledge has always been one of the Glories of Religion.
All the eminent Men in the Church were Men of Study.
Reasons adduced for not studying, answered:
Want of Leisure,
Natural Aptitude,
The Plea of having already studied sufficiently;
That one is fully equal to the Requirements
of the People committed to his Charge.

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Chapter XII. 287

Zeal.

The Excellency of Zeal.
Love for the Body should be coupled with Love for the Soul.
The Zeal of the Wicked.
How Zeal should be exercised.
Associations:
of Apprentices,
of Operatives,
Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul,
of Domestics,
of Clerks,
of the Young.
Circulation of good Books.
Happy Results of the same.
The Advantages and Difficulties of Opposition.
Great Occasions.

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The Clergy And The Pulpit
In Their Relations To The People.

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