A strange habit obtains in this respect. … We judge of a man's abilities by what he was at college. He had ability then; but subsequently he learnt nothing, and has forgotten much of what he did learn. His knowledge has dwindled down to the wretched just enough:—a fact which is patent. For all that, he is still regarded as an able man. … Another was rather backward at college, but since then has worked, striven, and succeeded in enlarging his talents. Why should such an one be spoken of as unapt, while we venture to think that we ourselves are well up in every thing, because we were believed to know something fifteen years ago? Moreover, it never seems to be borne in mind that college education merely gives us the key to knowledge and the taste for study.
But one is naturally endowed with great ingenuity; what need is there, then, for so much application? The Lord deliver us from these gifted men! They are long-winded, tedious, monotonous, bombastic, and any thing but natural; bearing out what we said above, that a little study removes us from the natural, whereas much study draws us toward it. Our aim should be to have it remarked of our discourses:—"Really, all that is very simple, and precisely what ought to have been said. It is just what I should have said myself had I been called upon to speak." But we shall not attain that stage without much painstaking. Sermons generally are worth what they cost; and our most able men are those who study most.
The course sometimes pursued of restricting study to one special subject is a sorry habit. It reminds one very much of a young man whose chief aim is to get his bachelor's degree.
But it is further urged:—"No complaints are made; on the contrary, people have been pleased to tell us that they are quite delighted with us."
Good God! and has not every one experienced the same! Who, indeed, has not been deluged with compliments? Do you know any one to whom the like has not happened? It would be a great curiosity to discover a preacher, however wretched, tiresome, and insipid he may be, who has not found a few pious souls to bestow on him the alms of a small compliment, or a small lie. He is to be congratulated, indeed, if in addition thereto, after having listened to one of our good preachers, some of them do not come to him and say, with all the subtlety of the serpent:—"Yes, his sermon was very grand, it was magnificent; still, we like your excellent and charming little discourses much better." There is no doubting one's ability after that; and one is tempted to believe himself a Ravignan, or an unrecognized Lacordaire. … One sees, of course, that there is some exaggeration in all this: nevertheless he is fain to believe the half of it at least. … Alas! flattery is the ruin of kings—and of preachers also.
Lastly, we have this plea:—"I know quite enough to speak to my own people; I shall always be superior to the good souls which are committed to my charge." … It is not superior to, but in unison with them that you should be. … Let us see, however, what your knowledge really is, in connection with the good souls you speak of. Whenever you address them from the pulpit, is their attention riveted? do their countenances beam, do their eyes glisten, or are they moistened with tears? Do you hold them under the spell of your words? Do you possess their souls, together with your own? … "Alas! no," you reply; "blockheads that they are; they yawn, they dread the sermon, and are delighted on finding that at Mass the Gospel is immediately followed by the Creed." … Away to study! then; … brush up your knowledge and your heart; betake yourself once more to the study of your people; find out their weak and their strong points; study their minds, their manner of looking at and apprehending things; and then you will come forth to proclaim the truth pithily and powerfully, and will take up your proper position. The general impression, however, appears to be that a preacher has but to open his mouth and the people should listen to him with ecstasy; otherwise they are called dull and stupid. Instead of speaking to them a language which they understand, they are treated to a theological theme amplified; whereon they remark:—"All that is undoubtedly very grand; but it does not concern us." Or, as an operative once said:—"If that is the word of God, it is not addressed to us; it must be intended for the rich." …
Study, then, is necessary to qualify us for doing good to all; even to the lower orders, the poorest and meanest. We have remarked elsewhere, that it is more difficult to preach to the ignorant than to the literary: more preparation is required. Hence it is that there are more men fitted to address the upper than the lower classes; and yet the latter form nearly the whole of the community. … Be it ours, then, to attain that superiority which knowledge confers; whereby also we shall be able to lay hold of both small and great, through the medium which they severally offer for being so secured. The world thirsts for knowledge; let us give them knowledge; let us make ourselves masters of knowledge, for then we shall undoubtedly be stronger than the world. We shall then be invested with a twofold power: the power of human and the power of Divine knowledge. The world possesses the power of human speech only; we shall possess that, and the power of God's word likewise. In a word, the world possesses the earth; absolutely nothing but the earth: we, too, shall possess the earth and heaven besides.
Chapter XII.
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.