ITS METHODS AND TENDENCIES. 469 
powers than we now possess. As has been stated, seen 
from the stand-point of our modern materialists, and 
judged by the criteria which they have adopted, spiritual 
existence and supernatural phenomena, even if as all-per- 
vading as the most devout religionist believes, must, from 
a priori considerations, be utterly ignored. Of those 
whose regard for the dignity of material laws leads them 
_to reject the idea of a creative and overruling Deity, I 
would ask, Is not man himself a disturbing element in 
your universe? Whatever may be said in regard to 
man’s free-agency, and however confidently it may be 
asserted that his will is but the resultant of the various 
motives that operate as distinct forces upon it, conscious- 
ness lies at the bases of all reasoning ; and the conduct of 
every man proves that he accepts this axiom. As he 
issues from his door he is conscious, beyond all argu- 
ment, that it is in his power to turn to the right or to the 
left; and while he holds himself responsible for his voli- 
tion, he cannot blame us if we ascribe to him free-agency. 
Man is therefore an independent power in the universe. 
He wills and creates. The locomotive is as truly his cre- 
ation, as himself fashioned from the dust of the earth and 
vitalized by the breath of the Almighty, is the work of his 
hands. If, therefore, all the realm of nature is controlled 
through material laws, by forces that, like attraction, elec- 
tricity , chemical affinity, etc., act in an invariable and 
inflexible way, in this universe man is a stupendous 
anomaly; and unless he can be degraded from his po- 
Sition of preéminence in this material world, the boldest 
and most irreverant of modern philosophers will strive 
in vain to dethrone the great Creator from the rule of 
the universe, or from his place in the hearts and minds 
men. 
