events. This I believe to be strictly true, even in times when 

 the legendary spirit is most widely prevalent, notwithstanding 

 the assertions of the critics of the Gospels, that there were 

 times when the belief that there is a permanent order of nature 

 did not exist. There never was a time when men went to bed 

 with the expectation that they might possibly see the sun rise to- 

 morrow in the west. But the visible order of nature is the order of 

 phenomena, and nothing else ; and while men contemplate events 

 as phenomena, and nothing more, it is impossible to believe in 

 supernatural occurrences. The possibility of a supernatural 

 occurrence depends on our belief as to whether there be a 

 supernatural being. If the mind accepts his existence, the whole 

 question is dependent on two considerations, whether it is in 

 accordance with the known character of the supernatural being, 

 to have caused such an event, and the existence of adequate 

 testimony that he has done so. A supernatural being must 

 have a character, and his actions can only be in conformity with 

 that character. Whenever, therefore, I read of a supernatural 

 event which contradicts my concej)tions of the Divine character, 

 I at once reject it, and assume that it is either a misrepresented 

 natural phenomenon or a fiction. According to my own con- 

 ception of that character, I apprehend that all interferences 

 with the existing order of nature must be of a very rare occur- 

 rence, as if it were otherwise, it would nullify the purposes of 

 the Divine governments Others, who have diflPerent views of 

 this subject, are capable of admitting as true events which I can- 

 not. We act precisely in the same manner in the common 

 events of life. If a person were to come into this room, and 

 assert that five hours ago he had seen our worthy chairman 

 exhibiting Punch and Judy in the Strand, we should refuse to 

 believe him ; but if he affirmed that he had simply seen him 

 walking there, we" should give the fullest credit to the assertion. 

 The question of the agreement of alleged facts with the character 

 of the agent is an important portion of the evidence on which we 

 accept them as true. I cannot believe that the Governor of the 

 Universe ever caused a cow to bring forth a lamb, under the 

 circumstances recorded by Livy; but I can accept as a fact that 

 Varro was thanked after the battle of Cannae, because it was 

 in conformity with the general character of the Roman people. 

 If, however, such an event had been reported of a community 

 of Negroes, the individuals comprising which had recently been 

 slaves, I should pronounce it a myth. 



No self-acting rule can be laid down on this subject. Each 

 man^s belief in the reality of a supernatural event must vary 

 with his opinions of the character of God. It must never b9 

 forgotten that it is not a question of ^vhat God can do, but of 



