Jean Baptiste, one of the greatest pulpit orators of France, was the son of Francois Massillon, a notary of Hiers in Provence. He was born on the 24th of June 1663, and entered, when very young, into the College of the Oratory in that city. Having been destined by his father for the profession of a notary, he was early withdrawn from college; but as he never ceased to return thither at his leisure hours, the superiors, remarking his dispositions, addressed solicitations to his father, in order to obtain his permission to attach the youth to themselves; and, in the year 1681, young Massillon entered the congregation, where he studied theology under Father Beaujeu, afterwards Bishop of Castres. In the year 1689 he wrote to Father Abel de Sainte-Marthe, general of the Oratory, that, as his talents and his inclination equally disqualified him for the pulpit, he conceived that some employment in teaching philosophy or theology would suit him better. Nevertheless, having been ordained priest, some panegyrics preached by him determined his superior to direct his talents to the ministry of the pulpit. After having professed the belles-lettres and theology at Pézenas, Montbrison, and Vienne, and after delivering some funeral orations, he was in 1696 called to Paris, to assume the direction of the seminary of Saint-Magloire. It was there that Massillon composed his first ecclesiastical Conferences, which are characterized by so much simplicity and vivacity. He was an ardent admirer of Bourdaloue; but he did not regard him as a model in everything, because he wished to open a new path for himself. Massillon observed that the preachers of his day were too much occupied with external manners, or vague and general moralities; and he resolved to search in the heart of man for the secret workings of the passions, in order to discover their motives, and combat the illusions of self-love by reason and sentiment, as well as by the attraction of happiness united to religion. Such was the distinctive character of his eloquence. In 1698 he went to preach during Lent at Montpellier, where he was warmly received, notwithstanding Bourdaloue had not been forgotten. Being now known, he could no longer fly from his renown, which soon recalled him to the capital. In 1699 he preached during Lent at Paris, in the church of the Oratory, and obtained a triumph which would have intoxicated a preacher who had less self-knowledge, with, perhaps, greater pretensions to humility. On a particular occasion, being congratulated by one of his brethren on the admirable manner in which he had preached; "Stop, Father," said he; "the devil has already told it me more eloquently than you." Massillon appeared in the pulpit with downcast looks, without gesture, and without parade. Nevertheless, when he warmed with his subject, his look and gesture became so expressive, that Baron, the celebrated actor, having gone to hear him, was so much struck with the correctness of his delivery, that he observed to one of his companions, "My friend, here is an orator; but as for us, we are only actors."

Being appointed preacher to the court at Versailles for the advent of 1699, the father of the Oratory appeared there without pride and without timidity, and produced such a powerful impression on Louis XIV., that he addressed to him, in presence of the whole court, the words, "Father, I have heard several great orators, and I have been satisfied with them; but as for you, whenever I hear you, I am dissatisfied with myself." The language of Massillon, though noble, was not the less simple, and adapted to the comprehension of the humblest; it was always natural and just, without labour and without affectation, and hence it had equal attractions for persons of all classes. The first time that he delivered his celebrated sermon on the small number of the Massillon, elect, was at Saint-Eustache, when the whole auditory rose up, in the midst of the peroration, at once transported and dismayed. This prosopopoeia, which still astonishes in the perusal, has been chosen by Voltaire in the article Eloquence in the Encyclopédie, as an example presenting "la figure la plus hardie, et l'un des plus beaux traits d'éloquence qu'on puisse lire chez les anciens et les modernes." In 1704, when Bossuet and Bourdaloue were both removed by death, Massillon preached a second Lent at court, and with such success that Louis XIV. expressed a desire to hear him every two years; but from whatever cause, he never again appeared in the pulpit of Versailles, until he pronounced the funeral oration of the king in 1715. In 1709 he likewise delivered the funeral sermon of the Prince of Conti, in the church of Saint-André-des-Arcs, which was much applauded when delivered, though sharply criticised after it had been printed. After more than twenty years spent in preaching, Massillon, promoted by the regent to the bishopric of Clermont, in 1717, was appointed to preach before the king during Lent. This was his last effort, but it is also his masterpiece. Massillon had nearly attained his fifty-fifth year when he composed his Petit-Carême, which made him be called the Racine of the pulpit. In these discourses refined views and delicate touches of humanity compensate, by elegance and grace of expression, for the bolder ornaments and deep pathos of his ordinary style. An eloquence more gentle and more insinuating, because intended to make an impression upon a young prince, thus forms the characteristic of the Petit-Carême. Voltaire himself, on more than one occasion, transcribed several passages from one of these discourses into his own verses, and had the Petit-Carême always on his desk, regarding it as one of the best models of prose eloquence.

In the year 1719 he was received into the French Academy. But he was far from being dazzled by these honours, and soon set out for his diocese, which he only left in 1721 to pronounce at St Denis the funeral oration of the Duchess of Orleans. Following the advice of Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld, Massillon prepared his episcopal Conférences, so full at once of earnestness and severity. His Discours Synodaux and his Mandements are grave instructions, conveyed in language remarkable for simple and natural elegance. The conduct of Massillon, as a pastor and bishop, corresponded to his zeal. All his actions were characterized by a wise and amiable moderation. He was eminently charitable and humane, and was always ready to raise his voice or use his purse in behalf of the poor or the oppressed. In a word, his whole life was a practical commentary on the divine precepts which he had so eloquently enforced; and he died, as he had lived, breathing sentiments of the most exalted piety, on the 18th of September 1742. The nephew of Massillon published a good edition of his uncle's works, in 14 vols., Paris, 1745–46. Of the more recent editions, we may mention those of Ménagion, 14 vols., 8vo, 1818; of Besançon, Chaladre and Son, 3 vols., large 8vo, 1847, which contains various pieces never before published.

The Eloge de Massillon by D'Alembert was read to the French Academy in 1774, and printed in the first volume of the History of the Academy in 1779. The reader may also consult the Principes and the Essai sur l'Eloquence de la Chaire of the Abbé Maury, and the Cours de Littérature de Laharpe.

(Massinger)

a town in the county of Stark, state of Ohio, North America, on the left bank of the Tuscarawas River, which is here crossed by a handsome stone bridge, 112 miles N.E. of Columbus. The town is regularly and substantially built, and contains many fine stone edifices. The neighbourhood of Massillon is a rich agricultural district; and the town is, in consequence, a great emporium for the produce. The manufactures are also considerable; and iron-ware and flour are the chief products.

The annual value of the exports and imports is calculated to amount to above £1,000,000. Pop. (1853) 4000.