Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-13

MAsSILLoN-l From the pulpit of the Olden
Time Five years before the death of Bour-
daloue, in the last year but one of the seven
teenth century, bis great successor, Massiuon,
then young priest Of the Oratory, delivered
his first Court sermon on All Saints Day, at
Versailles, before the great King and his bril-.
liant train of courtiers, on the pointed text
Blessed are they that mourn" Bourdaloue
heard Of the young preachers growing reputa-
ton and remarked patheticaly in the Baptist's
words-it may be hoped with as little jealousy
He must increase, but | must decrease.
Less powerful in the pulpit than either OF his
great predecessors, Massillou was even more
persuasive, aud when he began, with down
cast eyes and quiet voice, ard almost total
want OF the gesticulation SO habitual to French
orators, he held the congregation wrapt in ST.
lepce through which every moduated tone was
heard distinctly. He has been called the Cice-
10 OF French pulpit eloquence, as Bossuet has
been compared with Demosthenes and he has
much of Cicero grace and elegance, with some
thing Of Cicero's fault Of over polish and dilu
ton. French critics have preferred BOssuet;
but Massillon has more attraction for the Eng
lish reader. Noltaire is said to have kept the
volume OF his sermons, known as lie Petit
Careme, always on his writing tablet as one of
The most perfect models OF style. His Court
sermons have 4 courtliness which is without
Serviity, and may be tavorably contrasted i'll
this respect with some OF our own great preach
ers in the days of Elizabeth and the Stuarts -
tie begins his first sermon, it is true, with a
well turned compliment to the great Louis,
which drew forth an audible murmur Of ap-
plause from his cOurtly audience; but he at
once qualities the eulogy, without retractlng it,
BY the eloquent disclaimer, Thus would the
world speak; but, Sire, Christ speaks not as
the world" 1t is something to the credit OF
Louis, that he never took offence at the preach
ers' boldness.
No offence was taken, either at Massillon or
other Court preachers who spoke so tearessly;
but it was because the point Of the preachers
weapon never went thoroughly home. 1t
shakes ones faith in the efficacy OF any preach
ing to think how little practical effect these
confessed masters of the art, whom all men
thronged to hear and who, be it remembered,
were thoroughly in earnest, and believed and
practised what they preached-prOduced upon
that dissolutc French society. We are told,
indeed, that the King said to Nassillon, that
whereas other eloquent preachers made him
feel pleased with them, the effect of Nlassilons 8
preaching was to make him dissatisfied with
himself, but the dissatisfaction seems to have
had little result. We read, that when the
preacher delivered his rellafkaOie lent sermon
on "ths small number OF the elect, after speak
lng of four great classes of sinners-those who
10 not wish to repent at all, those who did wish
it. but put it off, those who repented only to
relapse. aud lastly, those who thought they
had no need for repentance concluded that
ais,,on of his sermon with the striking apos
1ophe often quoted, but not yet too often, de
hyered in his most thrilling tones -
Withdraw now these four classes OF sinners
from this congregation they will be with
drawn from it ut the great day. Stand forth
cow, ye righteous Where are ye Remnant
Of Israel pass to the right Wheat Of Jesus
Christ, separate yourselves from that chatf des
tined for the burning o God, where are thine
elect? p
We read that even that careless audieLce
we're so Impressed by the solewnity of the ar-
peal, that hundreds among them haIt.rose up
10 their places with murmur OF excitement,
IS though they expected to see the separation
actually take place and that the general emo
ton was so vivid, that the nerves OF the preach
er himself were visibly shaken. But such emo
tons are transient, and for eny practical effect
N the religion OF morals of his age, It would
seem that Massillou preached iu vain, There
vas craving then, as now. for what is called
sensation, which brought men to the feet
Of the preacher, and no further The Grand
NlOnarque listened to his preachers. and paid
them we-as much as 500 livres for an Ad-
vent course-tor their admirable entertainment,
aai went bis own way as before. - BtdCftrnnd s
Ng0-He.