imately chosen, have been
prepared, by serving as officers to these troops, to exert a baneful
influence upon their country. Those who were destined to the ministry,
or to the learned professions, were accustomed to seek an education, if
possible, in the German universities, where they would imbibe a taste
for any thing but evangelical principles. Rousseau, Voltaire, and
Gibbon, during their residence in Switzerland, contributed not a little
to the increase of infidelity; and the French revolution seemed to sweep
away the landmarks of religion and morality, and to banish whatever
might have remained, of the character of Switzerland, from the portions
to which its emissaries had immediate access.

It will not be supposed that the church escaped untainted, amidst all
these causes of corruption. The feeling which we found extensively
prevalent, that it was indecorous to inquire into the opinions of the
clergy and the doctrines actually maintained in the church, and which
presented a serious obstacle to investigation on this subject,
sufficiently indicates, that there is something which will not bear a
comparison with the public standard. But more unequivocal evidence of
the change of opinion is found in the fact, that candidates for the
ministry are now only required to avow their belief in the new
testament, and these regulations are avowedly adopted, in order not to
exclude those who are called "liberal" or "rational" in their opinions.

We trust indeed, that there are many thousands in Switzerland, who have
not bowed the knee to Baal, in any form. We believe especially, that in
the cantons of Basle, Zurich, Appenzell, and Schaffhausen, as well as
Geneva and Vaud, there are many faithful ministers of the gospel. We
know that in the midst of decayed churches, there are little bands, who,
without separating themselves, or exciting public attention, have
adopted the principles and the devotional habits of the United Brethren,
or Moravians. The missionary seminary at Basle is a radiating point,
from which divine truth is going forth to the ends of the earth; and
there is a cluster of christian institutions around it, which are a
monument of love and zeal. Light is springing up in various directions
in the midst of darkness and these first gleamings of the dawn are a
sure and delightful presage, that the Sun of righteousness is about to
arise upon Switzerland, with healing in its beams.

For several years past, two or three