Topics Presented. 33 



it must be shown that this Being sustains re- 

 lations to us ; that we either now are, or in some 

 future time shall be affected by Him. This would 

 be sufficient to raise in the mind apprehension, and 

 a desire to know more of what that relationship re- 

 quired of us, or at least what it would bring to us. 

 So far as we might be able to determine the character 

 of this Bein .us to us, and the results that 



would How to us from that relationship, would our 

 religious kix>\\; ; and so far as we 



should act upon that knowledge, our religious prac- 

 so. 



We have, then, the following general topics pre- 

 sented for our consul 



First. The existence and attributes of God. 



"iid. His relationship to us, and the results 

 that will flow from that relationship. This involves 

 a discussion of our religious capacities and of our 

 immortality. 



Third. The necessary failure of nature to an- 

 swer fully all questions demanded by our intellectual 

 and religious desires. 



Fourth. Proof from the physical universe and 

 the spiritual constitution of man that the Bible is 

 the work of God, because it is an absolute necessity 

 to man, completing in its provisions what his nature 

 demands, and the light of nature fails to reveal 

 involving a discussion of the harmony of nature and 

 the written word. 



The first two of these general topics are essential 

 to the presentation of Natural Religion as generally 



