36 Natiiral Theology. 



tent jurors. All that we are called upon to grant 

 in the outset is, that the theory of the case is a pos- 

 sible one ; that the case in its nature is one capable 

 of proof. We do not ask you to grant that it can 

 be proved with the means at our command, but 

 simply that it -is a supposable case that convincing 

 proof might be produced. With this concession 

 there is also need of a determination to give a care- 

 ful and candid consideration to the facts and argu- 

 ments presented as proof. The condition of the 

 mind will not be favorable to a just consideration of 

 the proof, if the result aimed at by the investigation 

 is considered undesirable, or in any respect adverse 

 to our interests. Our desires and our interests, real 

 or fancied, insensibly affect our judgment of the 

 validity of arguments. It requires not only honesty 

 of purpose, but the highest sagacity in unravelling 

 our mental processes, to guard against the vitiating 

 element of our own interest in the decision of any 

 case. So readily is this acknowledged by all, that 

 it is taken as one of the plainest maxims in human 

 action. In the question before us, our highest in- 

 terests are involved. Answer it one way, and we 

 are accountable to men alone. We can free our- 

 selves from all accountability and from all troubles 

 with the stiletto or with poison. Answer it ano- 

 ther way, and it becomes as impossible for us to 

 escape responsibility as it is for us to stop the earth 

 in its course. We are all either in favor of, or op- 

 posed to the results which we shall attempt to reach 

 in this investigation. Would it delight us to know 



