305 
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 conceptions 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 government Others, who have different 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 Cannse, 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 bo 
forgotten that it is not a question of what God can do, but of 
