The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1869-09-03


verse to tho operation of law that we
find discord, and the constant effort OF
law to produce or restore harmony. In
many instances, so impressive are these
efforts of law that we are apt to ascribe
lis natural operations to the special in
terposition of Deity, and as all nature,
physical and moral, is the agency
through which the Divine Mind pro-
duces the results we contemplate, we are
forced to the recognition, though these
results are Immediately subordinate to
law, of the presence of God, especially |
when in connection with the results, we
discover continuance, intelligence aud
beneGcont design.
The conception is most remarkable
under the natural development of the
human mind. Under strong moral i'm
pulses and guided by the light which
adventitious circumstances afforded, ex
amples have been furnished, in all ages,
Of the belief in supernatural or Divine
influence, in suggesting the thoughts
and shaping the conduct of men. And,
it is not easy for the mind, impressed
with the obligations of great moral
purpose, or mission, to divest itself of
the impression that it is being moved by
such supernatural influence; but there
is certainly no more reason to believe in
Immediate supernatural influence in the
development of human thought than in
the adaptation of matter to vegetable
life; or vegetable nature to animal oxis-
tencc. Vegetable lifc-animal nature
human thought, are clearly controlled
by law, and the results are only varied
by adaptations affecting the develop
mont. Still, the consciousness of a
great purpose-of great mission--will
continue to excite the emotion arising
from the conception that GOOD is with
us" and certainly we arc near to Him
when filed with His own truth-IIis
own great purpose--and in accordance
with His moral laws, we seek the accom-
plishmcnt of His benefcent designs.
IntuitivoIy man has turned from mat
ter to Intellect physical nature to
God, and wrought, according to his
mental development his theology and
forms of worship. The instinct is juJ
and natural; its object is only to be just
" conceived progressively, under the law
advancing mental development.
The matcrialist may say we do not
differ in our I1ets, while he denies our
inference. He recognizes with HUM
BoLDr the sublime order Of Nature but
denies that the facts prove Con-
rRIvER. Very well; iii possible that
there can be law without a law-maker
if it is possible there can be this sublime
order without a disposing Power and
let us see if there arc not other
fctS ITO show Us the light Of Gods
countenancc." First we give fact
which one or two exceptions, if there
arc any, do not, affect. Take ST..
PlERRE's statement of it,:
"All nations have the sentiment Of
he existence of God not that they all
raise themselves to Him after the man
ner of NEWTON and SOCRATES, in
Of the general harmony
Of his works; but by dwelling on those {
IF his benefits which interest them the
most. The Indian of Peru worships the 1
he Sun; he of Bengal, the Ganges,
which fertilizcs his plains; the black ;
-olof, the ocean, which cools his shores
he Samoiedc oe the north, the reindeer {
which feeds him. The wandering
roquoig demands Of the spirits which
preside over the lakes and forests plen- [
iful fishing and hunting seasons. Many {
Worship their kings; but all nations, to !
,ndear to men those august dispensers
# their felicity, have called in the aid Of
ome divinity to consccrate their origin.
such are in general the Gods Of the ma
ions.
The character Of a people and its re-
igion are the same. Man feels this
celestial impulse so irresistibly, that on
,easingto take the DEITY for his model,
&c never fails to make ore after his own
mage" Il
Now you may call the conceptioa =
sod, thus Nd, saYss