The foregoing considerations have led us to indite this little treatise; wherein our object has been not to lay down any specific rules, but simply to set forth the teachings of experience. What we most need nowadays is a popular religious literature to meet the temper and wants of the people. Such a literature does not exist. It should be based entirely on the national character and on the precepts of the Gospel. Invested with those two qualities, it would become an irresistible agency for good, and would act as powerfully on the educated few as on the unlettered many. {10} It might inaugurate the regeneration of our literature by restoring to it vitality, naturalness, and dignity. The time has come for taking up the cause of the people in earnest. The community generally is impressed with that conviction, and manifests a praiseworthy desire to encourage every effort for ameliorating their moral condition. Upward of one hundred thousand volumes specially designed for them are sold every year. Worldly-minded men, too, are anxious to foster the movement; finding that those who show a disposition to benefit the masses are sure to meet with countenance, sympathy, and even veneration. Moreover, we are at present in the enjoyment of profound calm. Heretofore, the apology for delay was:--"Let us wait to see the upshot of passing events; for who knows what may become of us; who knows but that we may be driven from our own homes?" The evil-disposed have had their day; let us see what honest folk may and can do. Let us mutually co-operate, piously and charitably, to become once more a united people and country--a France with one heart and one soul. 'Twill be the beginning of blessedness. {11} Contents. Page Preface To The American Edition, 5 Preface By The Author, 7 Chapter I. 15 To Address Men Well, They Must Be Loved Much. The Gospel enjoins universal Benevolence. The Men of the present Age have a special Claim to our Love. The success of Preaching depends upon our loving them. Wherein true Apostolical Eloquence consists. Chapter II. 40 The People. The actual State of the People. Their good and bad Qualities. The People in large Cities. The People in small Towns. The People in rural Districts. How to benefit these Three Classes of the People. One powerful Means is to act upon the People through the upper Classes, and upon the latter through the former. Chapter III. 118 The Order Of A Sermon. The Exordium. Divisions. Proofs. Are there many Unbelievers in France? Manner of refuting Objections. {12} Chapter IV. 136 The Sermon Should Be Popular.