6. Before closing this part of our subject, we have one w ord to add. When speaking, in paragraph 2, of the absurdities of the doctrine of chance, it was observed that the sceptic might call it ridicule, when in truth, whatever of the ludicrous there might be,was the legitimate offspring of his position. We repeat the same here. We mean nothing of ridicule, and we insist that the sceptic shall not charge the inconsistencies and absurdities of his doctrine to this account. Let them stay where they belong, and if he is ashamed of the offspring, let him abandon the parent. The truth is, there is no middle way between Intelligence and Chance. Our friends may talk as learnedly as they please, about "the laws of nature," the "eternity of matter," and the "laws," and "tendencies,” and “affinities," and "analogies" of matter; it is, after all, a mere heaping together of words. If God did not make man, chance did-if God did not make the world, chance made it. If they deny that there is a Supreme Intelligence, they must come down to naked chance; for, we say again, there is no middle way; the moment we leave the one, we step into the boundaries of the other. And we insist, that if they deny the existence of God, they shall be driven from the coverts of "nature,' ," "analogies," 99 66 inherent properties," &c., and be made to stand on the open ground of chance, and abide its absurdities. And we press it upon them—if there is no God—the world, man, every thing, is reduced to chance, bare, unvarnished CHANCE, and here they must meet it.

7. In the next chapter we shall proceed to give some of the direct evidences for the existence of a Supreme Intelligence. In doing this, we shall be as brief as the nature of the subject will admit.

CHAPTER II.

DIRECT EVIDENCES OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.

SECTION I.

EVIDENCE FROM THE HUMAN BODY.

I. Illustration.

1. We have before us a book. And what is a book? It is a combination of various articles having certain remarkable relations to each other. What are these articles-what is the character of their several relations-and do these relations give us reason to suppose that they are the result of design? Let us examine, and if possible, ascertain. We find, in the first place, that what are called its covers are composed of pieces of thin wood, of a definite shape, the surfaces, sides, and ends being perfectly smooth, - these are enclosed in linen, which conforms in shape to their own, and are thus connected together, leaving a space between. This space, we discover, is filled up with some hundred, or more, of leaves, or pieces of white paper, every one of which is found to resemble, in form, the covers, or the wood and linen just mentioned. In opening these for farther examination, we find two or three to be blank, but on coming to the next, we meet with certain little things called letters impressed thereon. On looking at them more closely, we find that they are arranged in a

certain specific order, and when taken together have a certain definite signification which has reference to something that is to follow. In turning the leaves, we see them all covered with other letters of a smaller, and in some respects, of a different shape, but still so arranged as always to embody some meaning which is comprehended by the mind as soon as they meet the eye. Continuing to pursue our investigation, we find that at various distances there are interruptions to the regular succession of these letters, followed by a brief space which is left blank. When it commences again, there is constantly placed at the beginning some few letters of the same size and shape with a portion of those upon the first leaf, and they have invariably relation to the smaller ones that come after. Thus it proceeds to the end. Now, if we turn back again to the first page, we shall discover, in the upper right hand corner, the figure 1, and on the next page, the figure 2, and on the next, the figure 3; and by casting the eye from page to page, it will be discovered that the figures follow each other in their exact relative order to the close of the book. If we take one step farther in the investigation, we shall ascertain that all these leaves, thus filled with letters, and regularly numbered, are bound together by means of threads passing through them from one side to the other; and that thus connected, the whole is fastened to the covers before named. Lastly, if we close the volume, and bring the back to view, it will be seen that certain letters are impressed there, of the same form with those upon the first page, arranged in the same manner, and signifying the same thing.

2. Such are the materials of which the book before us is composed, and such their relations to each other. With the information afforded by this examination, we are prepared to decide whether this book is the result of design. It is presumed that no man, in the full possession of his

reason, would deny that there are marks of design here, of thought, of intelligence. So plainly does this appear in every part, so legibly is it written upon every one of the materials, and in the perfect adaptation of these to specific purposes, it would be regarded as an evidence of insanity to say that the book was not produced by contrivance that it had no maker. One might as well say that day was not the effect of the sun's light; he might as well deny his own existence; he would as soon be believed, and such assertions would not be considered greater absurdities. Contrivance is seen as readily as the book itself, and to look upon one is to look upon the other. No part can be named where there is not some mark of mind. The wood and linen of the covers show it in their form and union; the paper proves it by is composition and shape; the letters prove it in the same way, and by their exact and intelligent arrangement; the figures afford the same witness from the same source; the threads which bind the whole together, the gum, the paste, in their respective places; every thing about it manifests design separately; and as a whole, it establishes it beyond the reach of doubt.

3. This point being demonstrated, the conclusion is very plain and certain. Design necessarily supposes a designer; contrivance must have had a contriver; and hence, the book being the result of design, or being itself a contrivance, must have had a contriver-must have had an intelligent, thinking, reasoning maker. With re

gard to this, there will be no dispute; it is the legitimate consequence of the first position, and must and will be universally admitted. Let us proceed then to make an application of the argument to the subject in discussion. II. The Human Body.

1. I am a living being; but this does not satisfy me I wish to know more about myself. How am I constituted ?

Or, rather, what are the parts and portions of my composition? what are the relations which exist between them? and do these relations manifest design, or give evidence of being the result of contrivance? Let me examine myself, and endeavor to ascertain. I find in the first place that I have what is termed a head, composed of, within, a mass of nervous matter of the most delicate and curious structure, performing certain very important functions; and, without, a number of bones so shaped and joined one with another as to form nearly a sphere, being a complete protection to the mass within. This is covered with a portion of flesh of a like shape, exactly fitting every part of the sphere; and this again is surmounted with a thick covering of hair. In connection with the head I find two ears, or organs for the reception of sound, one on each side, directly opposite; and so nicely constituted that they harmonize in their operations as to time and force, so that any noise or sound is heard at the same moment and with equal power by both; and such is the exacı and perfect connection one with the other, that, though having two organs, I hear the sound as if I had but one. Next to these come two eyes, the structure of which is so delicate, so minute, and complex, that one cannot examine it without being wrapped in admiration and astonishment. I cannot stay, however, to develope these wonders; but must pass with simply saying that these two organs likewise produce but a single effect. They are placed at that precise geometrical distance which blends the vision of both eyes into one, so that, although the object is painted on the retina of each, it is still seen but as one, and conveys but one impression to the mind. I find next that I have a nose, which gives cognisance of objects in relation to other qualities, and performs certain important duties. Next comes a mouth, fitted with a most singular apparatus, by which I am ena