"Nevertheless, you are not so much estranged from religion as you may think: God is not far from you. One always loves his child's friend, and your child's best friend is God. … Can you repel religion, can you repulse God himself, whom we are about to send to you this evening in the angelic form of a dearly loved child? Draw near then to the Gospel … carry away with you, at least, some pious sentiment, some wholesome regret, some incipient desire after that which is good." … Adopt some such strain as this, and your words will not be in vain.
Similar efforts might be made on the termination of the special services for Lent and the great ecclesiastical seasons, and on other extraordinary occasions also. After congratulating those who have profited by the means of grace, be careful to abstain from upbraiding or denouncing those who have abused them. Such a course is low and vulgar, and does much harm. On the contrary, do all you can to encourage and touch the hearts of all. I may suggest the following. Say what a pious and zealous religieux once said to his audience, at the end of a home mission:—
"Brethren, I am going to tell you an anecdote. It is not true, for the details are impossible. It is merely a parable.
"It is alleged that there is a country near the north pole, where it is so cold that words are frozen as they issue from the lips. If two men placed apart at a certain distance attempt to converse, they do not hear one another, for their words freeze in the air. But when spring comes, then their words are heard.
"Brethren, it is cold too and icy round your souls, and our words freeze; but when spring comes, when God's sun shall shine, then these our words will thaw and penetrate into your hearts, even though it be not till the hour of death."
Thus, let there be an outburst of love and kindliness toward those who have been edified by the means of grace, and a still larger and more affectionate appeal to those who seemingly have not profited thereby.—"What shall I say to you? Shall I address you in the language of severity? I might claim the right to do so in God's name; but certainly I have no desire to avail myself of that prerogative. I prefer holding out a hand to you; I prefer pitying, commiserating your misfortune. It would have been delightful for me to have been the instrument of your salvation; but you would not let me save you. Doubtless, God has not judged me worthy; although my mission here embraced you also. … Another, I trust, will be more successful. … Be assured that I entertain no ill-will toward you: I do not denounce you; on the contrary, I shall ever pray for you.
"Draw a little nearer toward religion. In your calmer moments you sometimes say:—'I do not wish to die without the consolations of religion. Were I to fall sick, I should send for a priest. Well, then, dispose yourself to return to the right path: curb your passions, and break off those habits which poison your existence. Above all, do not be a stumbling-block to your children. How often, as you well know, alas! are fathers the ruin of their offspring. Therefore have pity on your children, and on your wives also; for I whisper it to you that you are said to be sometimes harsh toward them. Ah, the poor wives! such treatment must be very painful to them: they who have already suffered and endured so much."
That is the way to appeal to the hearts of men! Such are the joys of the sacred ministry! They are the only joys vouchsafed to us: and yet can we dare to complain? Are they not the most delectable joys which earth can afford? To have committed to him the souls of poor sinners to save, to love, and to bless; to be charged with condescending toward his erring brethren; gathering them in his arms amidst the miseries and sufferings of this life, and of leading them to the truth, to virtue, and to heaven, is not this the sweetest enjoyment which a priest's heart can desire? Was it not to that end that he bade adieu to the world and left his father and his mother in tears? … O holy joys of the sacred ministry, how little are they known and felt by any of us! It is painful, doubtless, to have to stir up sin-sick souls; but when at the cost of much self-sacrifice we are able to benefit but one such soul, with what overflowing gratitude shall we thank God, and say: