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that, without such intelligence, the building could neither have 
been planned nor put together by men, however physically 
strong ; nay, even though the several parts had been somehow 
brought into being, fashioned by chance, and laid down ready 
made to their hands ! J ust so, exactly, is it respecting this 
greater exhibition, and that more marvellous display which 
nature unfolds on every side, of infinite intelligence and skill in 
the building of this round world and the brilliant crystal canopy 
of its glorious firmament. “The heavens declare the glory 
of God, and the earth showeth His handiwork.” “ Their sound 
has gone forth into all lands” — preceding all other revela- 
tions, — “ and their words ” — true rational discourses — “ unto 
the ends of the world.” “That which may be known of God,” 
is thus manifest in all creation, “ even His eternal power and 
godhead,” His invisible power and intelligence is thus clearly 
seen around us, “ being understood by the things that are 
made”; ay, and not only His intelligence and power, but His 
goodness also, “in that He sends us rain in due season and 
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness,” and, 
as a rule, exhibits before us the creation filled with happiness 
and enjoyment, and still bearing its original stamp of “very 
good,” notwithstanding its subsequent defacements. But here 
I would beg to observe, that though I have, and purposely, just 
made use of some Scriptural phrases, I am here not building any 
argument from revelation. That there are strong arguments to 
be derived from this source, serving especially to clear up moral 
enigmas, and make plain the ways of God to man, I know well ; 
but to prove the Being of a God, we require no argument 
from Scripture which does not exist independent of Scrip- 
ture ; and these passages which I have adopted to express 
some of my ideas, I have quoted, because (independent of their 
innate beauty) they themselves declare that the evidence 
deducible from the works of creation sufficiently establishes 
this doctrine. And, I must say, I felt distressed above measure 
to hear it asserted by one who had undertaken to discuss 
this question, that “ man could know nothing of God with- 
out revelation ! ” Why, my friends, you can't entertain the 
notion even of a revelation in your minds, without believing 
that there is a God. “ A revelation ! ” A revelation from 
whom, and of what ? A revelation from God and of God, to 
be sure ; not a revelation coming from a nonentity, a blank, a 
nothing ! — What success, then, can a man hope for, who, in his 
mission to spread the knowledge of God, presents himself to 
the atheist, saying, You don't believe there is a God, and I can 
furnish you with no reason for believing in one ; but, now, only 
listen to His revealed will, as set forth in this volume ! The 
