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. 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.
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.