Il6 MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION 



He was a reformer within the bounds of his own 

 diocese. He found it in a disordered state ; the 

 clergy were ignorant and unprincipled ; and relig- 

 ion was at a low ebb indeed. First setting the 

 example of living a life of self-denial and of devo- 

 tion, he carried on his reforms in his diocese, esta- 

 blished seminaries for educating the ignorant clergy, 

 held conferences, made good laws, and enforced 

 them. His life was an honorable exception to the 

 worldliness and superstition that abounded. A 

 score of such men as he would have reformed the 

 whole Church of Rome. 



As time went on, the Roman Church in France 

 came in conflict with a dreadful enemy ; not only 

 hers, but the foe of Christianity itself. There grew 

 up to most frightful proportions a form of infidelity 

 which denied all revelation, and refused to believe 

 there was a God. The leader of this band of unbe- 

 lievers was Voltaire, but he was assisted in the work 

 of overturning the faith by many others, among 

 whom were D'Alembert and Diderot, and the 

 authors of the Encyclopedia. Publications of the 

 most impious character were issued, and infidelity 

 was openly taught. All the wit and learning of the 

 day seemed to be arrayed on the side of unbelief. 

 Rosseau, Buffon, and many others, engaged in 

 scientific and literary pursuits, joined hands in seek- 

 ing to overthrow the Church. Finally the horrid 

 principles which they so vigorously spread had 



