, 1876-12-30
The Natural and supernatural

those things which may he explained,
and religion those things which can not
he explained. Science stands for things
which are known, and religion taith)
"is the evidence ot things not seen" To
attempt to give a complete definition OF
the supernatural would be hazardous.
Thousands of definitions of the terms
supernatural and miraculous have been
given to the world, but they do not fill
the bill--they each have to give way to
some new definition to which pressing
inquiries give rise.
1t would leave no occasion for criti-
cism il there could he devised some clear
definition OF the word "mirace" On
the other hand, notwithstanding the
changes which science has to make, in
consequence Of the expanding power
and acquisition of the human mind, yet
there are no good grounds for complaint
that the terms Science and Nature can
not be accurately defined.
II, then, science is the revelation to
man of the movable, how absurd and
supersutious is any definition Of the su.
pernatural which makes 1t stand for the
unknowable The world is fast coming
to the conclusion that it is uphill work
to strive after the unknowablc, and it is
turning its face towards the sun of sci
ence, and with Ajax it seeks light.
EIhc prayer of Ajax was for light"
Though there is no definition OF mira
Gle which has been generally acceptable,
and though none can he formed, yet it is
necessary, in order to discuss intelligent
ly the principle and facts involved in
the term, that we have some general de-
fnition. II by the very weight of its
own definite on the word miracle" he.
comes negative, yet the positive force
that 1t has over the minds OF mankind
generally, renders il imperative that
the sophistry, superstition, and error
which lurk under the term should be
daily brought to light.
Suppose we define it with F. Z. Abbot
thus: "A u iracle is an event in Nature
whose cause is outside of Nature that
is, an event either contrary to, or above,
all natural laws" And let us not forget
that the many new definitions of the
word which have been attempted, have
been forced by the enlarged reason, by
sounder common sense, and by the in.
creased humanities of our race. The
radical differences in each succeeding
definition of the word miracle suggest to
us at once the great probability that the
heart and core of the miracle idea is un-
true.
The supernatural character of Christ.
ianity was attested by miracles for with
out these signs and wonders it would
not possess credibility. ut presented
truths to the human intellect which it
could not of itself have discovered"
But how can revelation "present truths
to the human intellect" which the human
intellect can not verify 2--Most Of the
miracles of the Bible are in conflict with
human experience generally, If not uni
versally. II, however, it be insisted upon
that the fundamental truths of Christ.
ianity are strictly rational, then there
was no need of revelation, and Christ
ianity, in common with other religions,
had human origin. Yet other relig-
IONS claim to have had supernatural rev.
Citations. The HindoO religion was
given by revelation IN the Vedas, which
were written by a Deity, or by beings
superior to mortals. Zoroastriapism was
also given by revelation; and Mahomet
announced his religion as directly com.
municated from Heaven.
The supernatural character Of all reli-
gions is sustained by miracles. But
Christianity assumes that the miracles
recorded in the Bible are true, and that
those recorded in the books of the eth.
mic religions are false--the miracles of
the Indian, Egyptian, and the Greek are
only myths AMI fables. Science, how.
ever, observes the celebrated Strauss,
"holds position of lar too great univer.
salty to indulge SO narrow q prctension,
and will say, i will recognize miracle as
possible either in all the provinces of re.