| Citation |
BEP(F.753.031
31 Dec 1753:12,21 (957)
Oct 17. A letter from Paris acquaints that one mission (one
of the most famous preachers in France, and who had a
particular talent in controversy ) was lately sent to
Languedoc to convert the Hugenots, who swarm in that
province. After the bell was rung in, he enters the church,
and only finds in it five or six persons. Nevertheless he
goes up to the pulpit, and sits down for a considerable time
to wait the convening of his audience. No more of them
appearing, at last he pulls a flute from his pocket, and
very gravely begins to play a tune. One of his little
congregation goes out of the church, and acquaints the
people that the missionary priest was gone mad, and that he
was playing on the flute in the pulpit. The oddness of the
thing made the church fill in a short time, and he
continuing still playing, until it was so full that they
were on one another; then he gave the sign to shut all
doors, that none of them should escape and solemnized them
for sever hours without intermission. This stratagem, and
his manner of preaching, were so taking with these people,
that during his mission, he had always thronged audiences,
and they were all grieved when he was obliged to leave them.
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