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Lavater returned to Zürich in 1765 and along with Hans Heinrich Füssli (later Bräker's publisher) he edited a moral weekly paper called "The Monitor" [Der Erinnerer]. He also joined the Helvetic Society and at the annual meeting in 1766 was asked to write some patriotic Swiss songs. These were published the next year and became very well known, some were still being sung well into the 19th century. He was already the author of many hymns and other religious poetry, some of it in unrhymed free verse which foreshadows the Romantic movement of the next century. His popular verse was also very emotional in tone, full of fine sentiments and exclamation marks. Like Bräker (who may have been imitating him) he wrote poems which tend to be very long and written with a heavy thumping metre which becomes irritating after a while. He was an extremely eloquent preacher, in great demand for other pulpits beside his own, even outside Switzerland, and at the end of his life had more than fifty published works to his name.

Bräker chose him as a source of help, however, because Lavater's reputation for wisdom and generosity was such that he had a constant stream of visitors, rich and poor, including travellers from other parts of Switzerland and foreigners. To the poor he gave money, from his own pocket or from funds supplied by wealthier "friends to humanity" of his acquaintance. He also answered questions from those who were perplexed about matters of religion or moral conduct. Bräker's description of Lavater is not flattery, he did indeed have a well deserved reputation as "a teacher and healer of mankind in these times". Bräker was correct in supposing that Lavater was constantly being asked for money, and though he claims to be asking only for advice, he was probably right in thinking that Lavater and his friends would not believe him. Brãker did eventually meet Lavater, but not until 1782, when his circumstances had changed.

1778 aged 42

Autobiography 75 "Four years this time (1778-1781)":

"This letter, my son! which I wrote in that fearful night, I thought to send next morning to him to whom it was addressed, but reading and re-reading it several times it did not seem right to me and I liked it less and less; and when meanwhile I heard how the good philanthropist Lavater was so besieged by would-be writers, beggars and begging letters, I wished to avoid even the appearance of adding to the number of these shameless people. So - I suppressed my scribble and from that hour on made God my only refuge, as my most powerful Friend and surest Saviour, lamented my distress to Him, committed to Him all my affairs and prayed fervently - not for a miracle for my benefit, but for resignation to bear all that might come. After this, it is true, my habitual fever of worry often came upon me to attack me, but then many things came to pass that strengthened my hope. I applied all my strength of body and mind to increase my little business, myself took care at all times of my affairs, presented myself to everyone not as having no courage, but acted always as if I was cheerful and in good spirits. To my creditors I gave fair words, paid off the old debts and borrowed again from others. In the neighbouring commune of Gantersweil I looked around for new spinners, as many as I could hunt up.

The year 1778 gave me particular courage and confidence; my little business was at the time going excellently well, and soon I could believe that with time I might recover completely and be freed of my whole burden of debts. But I will never in all my days forget the fear which even now often tormented me, when I went sadly about my business, and approached the counting-house of some more affluent businessman, or the door of a hard-hearted creditor, how I felt then, how often I wrung my hands before Heaven: "Lord! Thou knowest all things! All men's hearts are in Thy hand; thou canst direct them like streams of water, wherever Thou willst! Alas,

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