Neither must we rely upon the power of the sword. It is easily used; but, as De Maistre has said, to rely on force is like lying down on the sail of a windmill to obtain quiet sleep. Then, again, the adoption of force leads to the most terrible excesses. Those who invoke it know not what they do: they have never witnessed civil war or barricades, they have never seen French blood flow in the streets, they have never heard the roar of cannon or the crash of grapeshot. . . . May God preserve us from a recurrence of such experience! Rather by dint of persuasion, of devotion, and of love, let us strive to reconcile all hearts, and make France the foremost people in the world--the most Christian and divinely blessed nation. {118} Chapter III. The Order of a Sermon The Exordium. Divisions. Proofs. Are there many Unbelievers in France? Manner of refuting Objections. After getting to know the people and to be known of them, to love them and to be loved by them in return, the next step is to lead them to the knowledge and love of God and His Gospel by means of oral teaching. ... In carrying this out, use plain speech, and aim straight at your object, which is to expound the truth proposed to be treated in such a way as shall cause it to be listened to with interest. Let it be perceived at once what the subject is, and what you intend to say. Sketch out your truth in a few sententious words, clearly and emphatically enunciated. Let there be none of those vague and halting considerations which give the speaker the air of a man who is blindfolded, and strikes at random,--none of those perplexing exordiums wherein every conceivable fancy is brought to bear upon a single idea, and which frequently elicit the remark:--"What is he driving at? what topic is he going to discuss?" {119} Let the subject-matter be vigorously stated at the outset, so that it may rivet the minds and engage the attention of the audience. Generally speaking, at the commencement of a discourse, there is profound silence, and all eyes are fixed on the preacher. Avail yourself of that opportunity to arrest the imagination of your hearers, to attract their attention, which you should maintain throughout, and to withdraw their minds from the things of earth and from themselves, in order that they may live your life for the space of half-an-hour. Let your onset be bold and vigorous, that your audience may catch a glimpse of the strength of your position, your means of defence, and the triumph of the truth which you are about to handle. ... "I prefer," says Montaigne, "those discourses which level the first charge against the strongest doubt. I look for good and solid reasons to come after."