PART I. THE EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A BEING, ALL-POWERFUL, WISE, AND GOOD, BY WHOM EVERYTHING EXISTS. CHAPTER I. GOD MANIFEST IN HIS WORKS: THE MATERIAL UNIVERSE. THE Atheist said, "If there be a God, why is it not written on the sun, in great characters that all can read, -THERE IS A GOD?" It is written on the sun, and on the earth, and on every leaf. In what language would he have it written ?—In English? Then the Frenchman could not understand it. In German? Then the Italian could not comprehend it. It is written now in nature's own tongue, which every one who is right-minded may read and understand. Let us walk forth and view the works of creation, and listen to the language they utter. It is the morning-hour-a bright spring morning. The new-risen sun throws his beams aslant upon the landscape,—thus, in a manner, doubling the objects it falls upon, by drawing their forms in outline on the ground, and at the same time enhancing their beauty by the contrast of light and shade. The freshened face of nature smiles in the new light. The grass, bushes, trees, are all hung with glistening dew-drops. The new-born buds swell to bursting, and send forth a delicious fragrance. The soft south wind breathes over all, and the blue heaven above answers in serenity to the peaceful earth beneath. All this is but inanimate nature; yet has it not a voice? Is there not a language of looks, as well as of words? And is there not an ex pression here in nature's face, answering to the smile of a friend, or to the rosy cheeks and laughing eyes of childhood, telling of health and joy? And though inanimate nature cannot properly be said to rejoice, because it is an unconscious being, yet its look tells plainly of the joy and love of One who is consciouseven its good Creator, who images Himself in His works. Does not the work tell the character of the workman? When you examine a machine or any piece of workmanship, do you not draw from the object before you an idea of the mind that constructed it? If skilfully executed, does it not prove to you skill in its maker? If elegantly finished, does it not convince you that he has a love of elegance? And if a work of direct utility, does not its construction evince a perception of use in the thought of its constructor, with the desire of producing something of service to mankind? Does the machine need to open its mouth, and utter these things in audible sounds? Are not its look and movement sufficient? Just so, does inanimate nature, as a vast and beautiful machine, reveal the mind of its Maker; so, do all its parts, though silent, yet speak loudly to the attentive observer: to use the poet's words, "In reason's ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice." But hark! all is not silent: all is not inanimate. From amongst those trees, sweet sounds proceed— warblings, melodious notes. They are tones of peace and pleasure, and bring cheerfulness to men's minds; for they tell of joy and innocence. And now the little songsters themselves are visible, hopping from spray to |