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 CHAPTER XXII

Circa 1742—1785

THE NEW PHILANTHROPY

NDER the early Hanoverians, religion in this country was in a very languid condition. The Church after the Revolution had slowly lessened its hold on the people; the force of Puritanism was almost spent. A professed contempt for religion was a distinguishing feature of the age. Christianity was ridiculed, reverence for tradition scorned; and the manners and the morals of the eighteenth century steadily deteriorated. Bishops and clergy alike neglected their duties. "Every one laughs if one talks of religion," said a foreigner visiting England. Yet still only persons professing the Anglican religion 297