The Christian of the present day is not constitutionally brave; he is rather timid, is subject to a number of little infirmities, and does all he can to reconcile duty with interest. But when he perceives that he has been wronged, when he is driven to extremes, he falls back upon himself, recovers his strength, and stands up for the faith. Then he is grand and bold; then he defends himself, resists, assails, and triumphs even in death. The time has come for us to avail ourselves of that tremendous engine which Providence has introduced into the world for good and for evil. Has not the Press injured us enough already? Has it not already thrown blood and scum enough at humanity and religion? Are not the two hundred millions of pernicious books scattered throughout France enough? Is not the world sufficiently estranged from the Church already? What do we wait for? {297} A powerful means of doing good is here placed within our reach. Don't be deceived; almost every body reads nowadays. Mistakes, however, are frequently made on that score. A preacher gives a _retreat_ [Footnote 24] in a country district, and is told by the curé that his people do not read. As the exercises progress, heaps of books are forth coming of so abominable a description that the like are not to be found in the purlieus of Paris--books the very titles of which are an outrage on public morality. [Footnote 24: A series of special religious services. ED.] Let us here recall to mind what has already been stated, that there are now in France from eighteen to twenty millions more persons able to read than there were at the end of the eighteenth century. But it is urged that good books are not read.--_That_ in a great measure depends on the quality of the books. Further, that after reading them, men are just the same as they were. Not always; and who can tell but that some thought has taken root in their minds which in time will bear fruit? There are books which have wrought many conversions; which in the course of a few years have reclaimed more individuals than our most celebrated preachers have converted during their lives. {298} I may instance one which is universally known, which has been and still is the angel of good to many perishing sinners; yes, and such sinners too! such men! You have already guessed the title of the book alluded to--it is the _Etudes Philosophiques_ by M. Nicholas. [Footnote 25] [Footnote 25: A person holding a high position wrote to the author of the above-named work as follows:--"From being wholly indifferent to religion, you have made me, in a fortnight, a fervent Christian, one sincerely repentant, and firmly determined to lead a holy life." ... Another addressed him thus:--"I owe a great share of my restoration to your book, which I shall try and induce all my relations and friends to read."]