Yet with all their abuses, many of the monasteries of the more enlightened European States became the dwellings of piety, industry, and temperance; and the refuge of learning, during the prevalence of those frightful wars which desolated the world in the dark ages. Yet, as the world became more settled, and as wealth began to abound, the monasteries became the receptacles of every kind of iniquity and luxury; and with it, the grossest immorality crept within their walls—together with all the vices of the world; indeed, murders, with other abominable crimes, were frequently committed in these dismal dwellings. At last the Reformation arose. In this country, King Henry VIII. seized upon the monastic revenues, and applied them to the service of the State, and to himself. In various parts of Europe where the Light of the Gospel penetrated, other kings or rulers imitated our King Henry; and from these enormous revenues, institutions for educational purposes were founded and supported. In Catholic countries they retained their original constitution, till the eighteenth century. From the influence of the spirit of the age they sunk in public estimation—their whole system was exploded. Many monasteries have become extinct, many others are with difficulty sustained; but still, in the more benighted countries of Europe they exist, to the great detriment of social progress, and will be only overthrown by the advance of intelligence, and the spread of sound religious principles. [Illustration]