THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 49 



natural science. The first thing we have to enquire is — has he 

 compHed with the one only condition upon which this kind of 

 knowledge can be obtained ? For we are distinctly informed that 

 this kind of knowledge does not belong to the race ; and his 

 consciousness of its absence in himself, so clearly expressed, is a 

 negative confirmation of its truth. Now this is a kind of knowledge 

 that cannot be tested by any scientific methods, nor can anyone dis- 

 close it to another except by a verbal statement ; so that when any- 

 one comes to us asserting that he has it in possession, we have only 

 his word for it. We are distinctly informed that the only evidence 

 anyone can give to justify his right to the claim in the eyes of 

 others, is a superior life ; and by a natural and instantaneous action 

 the human mind ever brings it tc that test. Now here we are met 

 by the objection, that in accepting this supernatural scheme of 

 improvement and elevation for man, we are assigning to him a 

 position and importance in the universe to which he has neither 

 •right nor claim; which is perfectly true, but the objection arises from 

 an entire misconception of the principal design of the universe, 

 which is not the exclusive advantage of it. or any portion of it, but 

 as we have seen, to disclose, as much as possible, the mind and 

 character of its designer to intelligent beings capable of appreciating 

 it. That man has no claim to such consideration we do not require 

 to be told, but that he is profoundly conscious of a terrible need of 

 some such way of relief, the rivers of blood that have flowed from a 

 myriad altars, and the smoke arising therefrom, which is traceable 

 down through the whole course of his history, abundantly attest. 

 But that such a scheme was originated for his exclusive benefit 

 would be folly to suppose, even were we not positively informed to 

 the contrary. 



Now every individual of the human race is of the very first 

 importance to himself; what he may be to the community is quite 

 a different thing. We know that many persons obtain their import- 

 ance in the world wholly from the position they occupy, and on 

 account of it. Similar is man's position in the universe ; 

 nothing in himself but of the very first importance on account 

 of the disclosures that are being made through him, of the mind 

 and character of his originator. Now we know that nothing in 

 the material universe stands apart and alone ; that each and 

 every part is in some way and to some extent dependent upon every 



