As regards objections to be refuted, you should never adduce any but such as are current in the locality where you are speaking; and it is dangerous to give them a too salient form, for you may thereby wound the faith of your audience. But the objection once stated, refute it at once in a few sharp and decisive words. Let your reply be in language as prompt, striking, and decisive as that of the objection. Avoid all circumlocution and hesitation in meeting it. Show it no pity, but let it expire forth with in the presence of your audience. Let every word tell like the cut or thrust of a sword, or, at least, like the stroke of a mace which shall effectually silence the objection. You may then justify, easily, the blows which you have dealt: but strike first and explain afterward; otherwise, never attempt to place an objection before the people. If, as is too often done, you begin by saying:--"Before refuting this objection, two principles must first be laid down," or, "three reflections must be made," the minds of your hearers will go a wool-gathering; they will not listen to your reflections; they will retain nothing of your discourse beyond the objection; you will have lost your time, and may have done harm into the bargain. In sermons to the people, the peroration should be energetic, captivating, fervent; not a fervor of the head or throat, but of the soul, accompanying something to enlighten the minds of the hearers, to gain the assent of their hearts, to subdue their passions, and to electrify their spirits. {135} Let us be on our guard against those vapid perorations which are nothing more than the ending of a discourse which we are at a loss how otherwise to wind up. The audience must not be dismissed with a wrong impression; therefore be more affectionate at the conclusion, the more severe the truths have been which you have enunciated. In a word, the peroration should be sympathetic and vibrating. It should comprise all the power, all the marrow, and all the energy of the sermon. It should contain some of those keen thoughts, some of those proverbial phrases, which recur to the mind again and again like the strains of a familiar song which we sing involuntarily,--or a single thought, which when once entertained leads one to say:--"Were I to live a hundred years, I shall never forget it." {136} Chapter IV. The Sermon Should Be Popular. What constitutes true Popularity? Popularity in Words, in Thought, in Sentiment. One of the most popular Sentiments in France is Patriotism. Means to utilize that sentiment. The Relationship between Popularity and Genius. Demosthenes. Saint John Chrysostom. Daniel O'Connell. The language of the Christian orator whose object is to make religion known and loved, should possess the following characteristics:-- It should be, 1st, popular; 2dly, plain; 3dly, short.