bled to break into smaller pieces such food as is too large to pass down the throat; which, by the way, is another most singular and complicated connection of different parts, one with another. On farther examination, I find that the head, as a whole, is joined to the body by a curious combination of bones, which may be called a hinge, so fitted that the head can move freely backward and forward as far as may be convenient or necessary. In addition to this, there is found what has been very properly called a tenon and mortice; that is to say, there is projection proceeding from the second bone in the neck, which enters a corresponding hole in the bone above it, and by the aid of this the head is enabled to turn from right to left as far round as may be desirable. Next, I meet with what is termed the vertebræ, the spine, or commonly the back-bone. Here is wonder upon wonder to such an extent that it would be vain to attempt a description of them. Suffice it to say, that I find this spine answering all my wants;-at one time firm, when I would be erect; and when I would bend or stoop, as flexible as a reed-and at the same time preserving in there different situations a perfect communication by means of a canal passing through the twenty-four pieces of which it is composed. This canal also I find to be of the utmost importance, supplying the body with matter indispensable to its existence; which is done by pipes going out from it at various points in its progress, which are divided and subdivided, again and again, until they traverse every portion of the frame. In continuing my examination, I find that I have arms, one on each side of my body, so furnished with hinges, and joints, and muscles, that I am able with the aid of the hands, another wonder, to perform any service with them I may need, or any situation may require. I come next to the lungs, the heart, the chest; but to describe the beauty, the power, the admirable arrangement and mutual connection and operation of these several parts, would require volumes, and call for a knowledge and an eloquence which are not mine. They must therefore be passed over. The same must be said of the stomach, and the whole apparatus for digestion, for secretion, and for circulation, with all of which I find I am provided in the most perfect manner. Lastly, I discover that the entire body is placed upon what are called the legs, so formed by the union of different bones that they perform most useful and important functions; while to the end of these are added feet, so shaped, so admirably fitted to their respective places, that they support, without difficulty or pain, the whole superstructure which has been examined, and give to it he power of locomotion, transporting it from place to place, at the pleasure of the will. 2. Reader, if you have been with me through the examination just closed, we are prepared to answer the question proposed at the commencement. "Do the relations of the several parts of the human frame evince any thing like design, or do they give us reason to suppose that they are the result of contrivance ?" It would seem almost an impossibility that a rational being, after having carefully looked through the human system, could calmly settle down into the conclusion that it afforded no marks of design, gave no proof whatever of intelligence. Yet, strange as it may appear, there have been, there are such anomalies in the thinking world, and that even among us. These do affirm, that they are utterly unable to discover aught in man that would lead them to believe that he was the production of a Superior Mind. Now, it was admitted that the book gave evident token of mind-that its various parts, taken separately and together, established beyond question that it had an intelligent maker. This fact, the unbelievers to whom we allude, will themselves allow, and indeed no person would so far risk his reputation for sound judgment and sanity as to deny this. To us this is a mystery. We cannot divine how one, having a book and a man before him, can, after patienly examining the structure of both, affirm that the one plainly shows design, while the other shows none; that the one evidently had a maker, while the other as evidently had not. We can form no conception of the process of thought by which he can arrive at a conclusion so directly and positively opposed to the most palpable facts, and so obviously inconsistent with itself. It may be in accordance with the rules of logic and the principles of philosophy--it may be perfectly intelligible in the light of nature; but we are not able to see it thus. Of one thing, nevertheless, we are certain, that, however logical or philosophical this conclusion may be, or however much in harmony with the light of nature, it is most assuredly at war, length and breadth, with plain common sense. 3. The book is a mere cipher, so far as contrivance is concerned, when placed by the side of a man; and its composition, with the connection of its several parts, is nothing compared with the structure of the human body. For every evidence of design in the former, there are found in the latter a hundred more direct and unequivocal; and every proof that the former affords of having had a maker, is met by a score from the latter of a far more palpable and convincing character. What shall we do, then, under these circumstances? What is the most consistent conclusion at which we can arrive? Shall we agree with the objector, that the book is a contrivance, and must have had a maker, and with him affirm that the more complicate and beautiful volume of the human system is not a contrivance, and could not have had a maker? Let us pause a moment, and inquire if this be the result of our examination; inquire if the heart, if the head, ap prove the decision. Yea, as much hath been said of the powers and infallibility of Reason, let us even ask if she will guide us to this end. Truly, if it hath come to this, we may well say with Young,— "This is not reason's dictate; Reason says, Close with the side where one grain turns the scale : SECTION II. EVIDENCE OF DESIGN IN INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF THE BODY. 1. Thus far we have looked at the human body as a whole, or, as a collection of parts for specific purposes. Let us now examine some of these parts separately, and it will be found, that each one; of itself, furnishes a distinct and entire argument in proof of an Intelligence adapting means to ends with a wonderful skill and precision. In this department we shall freely borrow from those who have written, more especially with reference to this subject, and shall avail ourselves of whatever may be to our purpose. 2. The first example of mechanical contrivance to which attention will be called, is that of the arm. The motions which this member was required to perform are various, and its adaptations are exactly fitted to these motions throughout. Beginning at the shoulder, we find there was needed a motion in every direction, and this is provided for by what has been called the ball and socket joint, which is formed by a convex or globular extremity playing into a kind of cup. The little girl's "cup and ball" is an illustration of it; the ball being elongated to represent the bone of the arm. Such a joint admits of motion, in any direction, which was exactly what was ne cessary here, as all the other movements of the arm depend upon it. A hinge joint, like that which enables the head |