It is not claimed that Fénelon was wholly without faults, or was in all respects ahead of his times. How could that be expected? He took, in the main, of course, the Roman Catholic view in the questions that arose regarding heresy and the general affairs of the Church. It is not necessary to defend him for this. We are concerned, in studying such persons, not so much with their dogmatic opinions and beliefs, the result of their environment, as with the spirit of their lives, their attainments in holiness, and the light which they can shed on the best means of growth in grace. It is believed that the present volume will be found helpful to this end. The type of piety exemplified by Fénelon, Fletcher, Faber, and others of this sort, does not appeal with equal force to all, owing to difference of mental and physical constitution. But all, whatever their temperament, can get only good by contemplating such an example as is presented in these pages. They can not feel the quick throbs of his deeply loving heart, and note the sincerity of purpose with which he served his dear Redeemer, without being stimulated in their zeal, and helped to walk, in their own way, more worthily of the vocation with which they themselves are called. That this may indeed be the outcome for every reader of the following chapters, is the earnest prayer of the author. JAMES MUDGE. Jamaica Plain, Mass. CONTENTS Chapter Page I. From Youth to Manhood, 9 II. The Setting of the Picture, 45 III. Preceptor to the Prince, 67 IV. Mysticism and Quietism, 94 V. The Great Conflict, 120 VI. The Good Archbishop, 159 VII. The Spiritual Letters, 193 Fénelon: The Mystic CHAPTER I. FROM YOUTH TO MANHOOD.