IV. A point, which I must bring before your notice, is the actual _state of true religion_ on the _continent_, and more especially in _Germany_. It is certainly true that Neology has to a lamentable extent taken possession of the universities, the public prints, and the higher orders of society. At the same time I believe, that the statements which have gone abroad, of the extent of its prevalence, are, as to two points, inaccurate. In the first place, they describe only one side of the case; for, if there is much infidelity and neology on the continent, there is also a considerable sprinkling of true religion. And, secondly, The evil which has existed, and does exist, may be said to be every day diminishing. As to the first of these facts, I could point out individuals, parishes, and districts, where real religion is in active operation; places and persons altogether unconnected with those agents from England, who have been said to be the only instruments of doing important good on the continent, and which are therefore unrecognised by them, and possibly unknown to them. I could name one little knot of parishes, all within a small circle, in which are twelve ministers, earnest, orthodox, and devout servants of the Redeemer. I could name another place, where forty ministers were lately assembled for purposes of religious and spiritual communion. I might also allege the fact, that at different universities there are professors who openly, and from the heart, confess the true faith. I may indeed affirm that, from the cottages of the poor to the palaces of kings, there are those who walk worthy their high vocation as Christians and as men. The admitted evils are every day diminishing. The number of converts is increasing. The opinions of Paulus and Schulthess seem likely to die away with themselves. What can be more remarkable than the change which has taken place in the kingdom of Prussia, where the leaders of the state and the university may now be said to hold the very opposite creed to that which obtained with their immediate predecessors? There are two individuals, of whom, as connected with Germany, I feel it right to say a few words—the one is Leander Van Ess, the other your late invaluable Secretary, Dr. Steinkopff.