knowledge of the diplomacy and
history of the Middle Ages? Who does not honor the Augustines of Mt.
St. Bernard, the Gray Sisters and the excellent schools of particular
monasteries?

But then, on the other side, who will not admit that indolence, false
views of life, narrow-mindedness, hypocrisy, and secret and impure
practices found a home in a multitude of these establishments? In
Zwingli's days, these dark features were most prominent and, we may
even say, altogether prevailed. To prove this, not only Protestant, but
enough of Catholic witnesses also are at hand. It was well for a man of
his spirit and aspirations to spend a few years in the quiet cells of
the cloister for the completion of his theological studies, especially
since he was exempt from the duty of wasting time in empty ceremonial
rites. But after this end was attained, it was easy to foresee that he
would again wish himself beyond the narrow walls.

To this the peculiar character of the monastery of Einsiedeln, as a
far-famed place of pilgrimage, contributed. In general there is little
to admire in the disposition of any one, who does not find his soul
elevated in places hallowed by departed greatness. A noble feeling lay
at the bottom of the expeditions to the Holy Sepulchre during the
Middle Ages, although they partook of all the rudeness of the time that
produced them; and even yet, how many spots are there in the land of
Palestine, that awaken, in the bosom of the traveler, meditations, in
which earnestness and sorrow mingle. On fields of battle, in haunts,
where ruled the leaders and the teachers of mankind, memory works with
double power, and even around graves known only to perishing tradition,
there lingers for some an imperishable charm. No censure therefore on
pilgrimages that spring from such deep impulses!

But when the hand of man ventures to write down in such a place: "Here
is plenary absolution from guilt and punishment," when the mortal will
forestall the eternal judge, and by the fancy of expiation obtained
through such a pilgrimage, the frivolity of the sinner is directly
enhanced and the perpetration of grosser crimes encouraged, when money
rings in the sanctuary, in whose courts a market is opened for relics
and consecrated amulets--who can be angry, if a feeling of indignation
flashes through the mind of the clear-sighted thinker, as well as
through the believing heart of the truly pious?

But Zwingli was now compelled to wit