Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-08-14

could only have originated from q
being of iutiuite wisdom, and power,
and goodness. This argument nd.
mits of only one reply, that tho world
has always continued as it is, and
that thore has been an eternal success
sion of finito beings; which involves
q contradiction and manifest impossi.
bility.
Consider for moment those man
ifostations of the Divine existence
and character which are exhibited in
the varied operations of nature. Be.
hold the prevailing order and har.
mony of tho universe, proclaiming
the existence of universal law, reg
ulating as we'll "the smallest as need
ing its care and the greatest as not
exempted from its power"-law
which establishes the typical forms
OF organized being, and harmonizes
the infinite developemcnts of organ
lied life-law which gives harmony
to colors and symmetry to forms-law
which controls the appetency of plants
and the instinct of tho animals, which
guides tho uuerring mechanism of tho
bee, and the sure migrations of the
waterfowl-law, the same yesterday,
to-day, and forever, the one and un-
changing, and which amid all tho
fleeing forms, and varied scenes of
this present being, mapifests tho cter-
nal archctypcs of Divino order, and
harmony and beauty.
Again behold tho wonderful adapta-
lion OF means to an end, which is
impressed upon tho whole creation
the collocatons and arrangements of
matter-the manifold adjustments of
place, and figure and magnitude,
Of light and heat and color, by
which the varied forces of nature
arc mado to subservo common
purpose and carry out the great
designs of the Creator. Who that
observes the franc work of any
human mechanism-the construc-
ton, tor example Of q watch
tho elasticity of the handspring, the
regularity of tho balance wheel, tho
varying forces Of tho levcrs,-all con-
tributing to assingle result, but will
conclude necessarily; that this is the
work of an intelligent and slsililul ar
list. Aud turning to tho great labor.
atory Of Nature, VIC arc surrounded
on all sides with tho evidences of de-
sign. Tho human frame itself fear
fully and wonderfully made,' with it's
delicately constructed eye, taking in
with lens and retina, the beauty and
brightncss..of every sccno, with it's ear
kccnly alive to all the harm onies of
Nature, with it's complicated not
work of brain and nerves, and mus
cles and ligaments forming the nice
ly adjusted instrument by which the
soul holds communion, with the outer
world, sensitive to every external i'm
preston and obedient to every inter-
nal impulse, furnishes tho highest
manifestation Of the wisdom and be
nevolence of the Divine Architect.
Again, survey tho events of tho Di.
vine Providence, manifesting his con-
trolling supervision over the world
which he has made, and guiding. oil
the forcos of Nature to the heaccompiish-
-ment of his all-wise purposes, and
learn from those that he is not only
the Great Creator, but the wise and
benefcent rulcr, displaying bis pres
ence and power, alike in the opera
tions Of nature, the mutations of race,
the checkered destiny of nations, and
the experiences of tho individual con-
sciousness.
Turn to the human soul itself, "the
presence chamber Of the King of
Kings" and there beholding the mani.
festations Of tho visible presence, ask
yourselves in the emphatic language OF
Scripture, Gle that formed the eye
shall he not seej he that planted the
ear shall he not hear; he that teach
eth man knowledge shall he not
know?" That blind and unconscious
matter cannot originate the phenoms
ma of mind; is one of those intuitions
which lie at the basis. of all knowl-
edge, and is~proved by tho light Of IT.
own oonsciousgess. The very fact
that the soul is capable entertaining
these :" thoughts which wandet
through eternity" perceptions din
though they may be Of the infinite
and eternal, indefinite happiness anc
'bouhdless,aspira which lift it t
the infinite source of tho Good, the
, Beautifal-aud the True,' proves it,
heavenly lineage and Divine original
} But would you learn one of th,
most striking proofs Of the existenc,
ofs,Emordi sGoyeruor of the: universe