enlightened Christian can hear of the desolations of most of the Reformed churches, without deep emotion— without cherishing the desire of becoming instrumental in their spiritual resuscitation?-that, in place of appearing in small and feeble groups, scarcely preserving the existence of religion in their little communities, they may be inspired with new life, may lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of their tabernacles, and soon be enabled to proportion their efforts for the evangelization of their respective localities, in some due measure, to the necessities demanding them. And who can estimate the amount of accession which christian effort for the approaching extension of the kingdom of Christ over the world would receive, were these foreign churches awakened to new zeal, augmented by many converts, and enlisted with cordial energy in the service of the Gospel? Would any concentration of British influence be too great for the realization, under the blessing of God, of such objects? If we are inert, Rome is not; and if she advance with as gigantic strides for a few years longer, as she has done for the few years past, the ground may soon be too exclusively occupied, and too securely guarded, for us to attempt it. Would that the zeal of Rome might provoke Britain to jealousy! If any thing in the following pages shall contribute, in any degree, to excite or increase British interest in the spiritual welfare of our continental brethren, my chief object in preparing them will be accomplished. GLASGOW, March 13, 1844. NOTICES OF THE STATE OF RELIGION, &c. CHAPTER I. LOCALITY AND INSTITUTIONS OF GENEVA. IN commencing these addresses, I may be allowed to mention my original design in their preparation. I thought it natural that the affectionate flock with whom I have had the happiness to be long connected, and who so cheerfully consented to resign for a season their claim on my pastoral labours, should wish to know somewhat of the condition-the spiritual condition particularly—of the country in which, during my absence from them, I intended chiefly to sojourn; and it was not less natural that I should desire to gratify, as far as my opportunities of inquiry and observation might enable me, that laudable wish. Having considerable leisure during my residence in Geneva, and possessing opportunities which might never afterwards be within my reach, of making myself somewhat acquainted with the state of things in a country with B which so many interesting associations have been connected for centuries, I gladly availed myself of these, with the view of communicating their results, in some week-evening addresses, to such of the people of my charge as could conveniently assemble to hear them; but I had no intention, in the first instance at least, of giving them any additional publicity. Christian friends around, however, hearing of my purpose, kindly expressed a desire that their delivery should be more public; and, although quite aware that the addresses had but slender claims to general notice, I felt that it would be uncourteous to decline compliance with the request presented to me. I shall be quite satisfied if, through the blessing of God, any instruction, any gratification, any advantage, of whatever amount, shall be imparted to those who may choose to attend; and it will afford me great additional pleasure, if, through the considerate liberality of my hearers, a small and seasonable supply shall be afforded to the temporal wants of some of that destitute class of our brethren and fellow-citizens, at all times unhappily very numerous in this city, and at the present time in circumstances of great and urgent necessity. It is pleasant to associate beneficence to others with enjoyment to ourselves; and, in the spirit of him who went about doing good, to render our undertakings subservient to the sacred objects of Christian compassion. The addresses will be occupied with the following topics. In the first, I shall give some account of the appearance of Geneva and its vicinity, with notices of its present condition, political, religious, and educa |