LETTER OF PROF. HENRY. 25 



Second. It is equally clear to me that you have a similar spiritual 

 principle within yourself, since when I ask you an intelligent ques- 

 tion you give me an intellectual answer. 



Third. When I examine the operations of Nature, I find every- 

 where through them , evidences of intellectual arrangements, of 

 contrivances to reach definite ends, precisely as I find in the opera- 

 tions of man; and hence I infer that these two classes of operations 

 are results of similar intelligence. 



Again, in my own mind, I find ideas of right and wrong, of 

 good and evil. These ideas, then, exist in the universe, and, there- 

 fore, form a basis of our ideas of a moral universe. Furthermore, 

 the conceptions of good which are found among our ideas associated 

 with evil, cm be attributed only to a Being of infinite perfections, 

 like that which we denominate "God." On the other hand, we are 

 conscious of having such evil thoughts and tendencies that we can- 

 not associate ourselves with a Divine Being, who is the Director and 

 the Governor of all, or even call upon Him for mercy, without the 

 intercession of One who may affiliate himself with us. 



I find, my dear Mr. Patterson, that I have drifted into a line 

 of theological speculation ; and without stopping to inquire whether 

 what I have written may be logical or orthodox, I have inflicted 

 it upon you. 



Please excuse the intrusion, and believe me, as ever. 



Truly yours, 



Joseph Henry. 

 Mr. Joseph Patterson, 



Philadelphia, 



