"I recognize in your ardor the descendants of those warriors who, on the approach of the enemy, gained the frontier at a bound, and as one man. They were workmen when they left; workmen less fortunate and educated than you are. They returned, as you know, conquering heroes, or they fell covered with glory.
"Were the country again menaced, and an appeal made to your courage, I should have no misgivings; for, hardly should I have blessed the tricolored standard over your heads, than it would take the eagle's flight and echo a reply by a brilliant victory, either from the summits of the Alps or from the borders of the Rhine."
We must renounce all attempt to describe the sensation which this discourse elicited, and which it at the same time restrained, that the speaker might not be interrupted. It broke out at last; the hurricane burst through all bounds, and then suddenly subsided as if in remorse at its own violence. This intelligent silence seeming to say: "Go on," the archbishop proceeded:—
"I doubt not that you would easily triumph over the enemy: but would you overcome yourselves also? would you subdue your passions, calm your impetuosity, be Christians, be virtuous?" [Footnote 14]
[Footnote 14: Visites Pastorales, p. 136.]
"Yes, yes!" exclaimed these noble youths. Their hearts were touched, and they were ready for any sacrifice. The prelate then rapidly set forth the virtues which they ought to practise, the temptations which they should avoid, the vices they should subdue, and the passions which they should curb. Thereupon, the explosion of enthusiasm was redoubled, showing that these brave youths were not irretrievably wedded to their errors and foibles; for though in reality undergoing a partial defeat, they applauded as if they had been the conquerors.
We repeat it: one of the best means to popularize religion among the people is to speak always in favorable terms of their native country.
There can be no doubt that deplorable excesses in the history of the last seventy years have wounded the hearts of the clergy, and imparted a savor of bitterness and sarcasm to our language respecting France. But it is wrong: one should always love one's country and one's times, though it may be a duty to combat their prejudices and their errors. On this subject I commend the words of one of our own statesmen, endeared both to religion and to his country:— [Footnote 15]