The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27

Onrlstlanlty, as supernatural revela-
ton, requires to be proved by super
natural evidence.
Philosophy and logic demand that
the proof shall be like the proposition
to be proved. To prove a scientific
proposition, the evidence must be scien-
tific. To prove historical fact, the
evidence must be historical. To dem
onstrate proposition in mathematics
the proof must be mathematical. A
fact in law must be sustained by legal
evidence; and fact in morals by NOR
al evidence. 1t is, therefore, evident
that supernatural religion demands
to be proved by miracles.
All religions claim the evidence of
miracles. The miracle figures conspic-
uously in all religious history. This
fact proves that the human mind has
been 80 constituted as to demand the
evidence of miracles in proof of a
divinely revealed religion.
This being so, the demand for mira
cles is natural and universal. 1t is a
demand that grows out Of the very
constitution of the human mind. Will
not God, who so constituted the human
mind that it demands miracles in proof
of divinely revealed religion, when he
makes the revelation give the required
evidence of it's divine origin? A natural
law that natural demands shall be met,
proves that he will. There is in ma
ture demand for the supernatural;
in the finite universal want of the in
finite; and a natural law that makes
certain that the evidences of miracles
will be given in proof of divine revela-
tions. Nature originated in the super
natural; the human sprang from the di-
vine, and nature makes miracles neces-
sary and true.
The great lesson taught us by all
science is: That matter is controlled by
life, life is controlled by will-the me-
chanical exists for the vital, the vital
for the mental, and the mental for the
spiritual and moral. This is the great
world order as revealed by science. 1t
proves that man is superior to nature;
and the physical, chemical, vital and
animal in the universe, exist for him,
contribute to his enjoyment, and are
largely used and controlled by him.
Natures order exists for mans culture
and education. Natural law is means
of his mental, moral and spiritual
development. The constancy of nature
is not an end, but only means to an
end, viz. the education and salvation
of man. 1t is evident, therefore, that
where it is necessary for mans spirit
ual education and salvation, for God to
reveal himself as working above ma
ture he will do it.
A miracle is not a violation of ma
lures order, but divine act above
and beyond it. 1t does not abrogate
natural law, but uses it in producing
results that prove as present and act
ing divine intelligence and will for a
great moral purpose. Men are constant
ly producing new combinations of nat
ural forces which reveal as present and
! acting on nature, human will and intel
ligence, which brings about moral re-
suits that make to us revelation of a
moral nature, character, and purpose.
There is a moral and spiritual as well
as a natural order in the universe; and
science shows that the natural exists
for, and is subordinatelto, the moral and
spiritual. 1t is rational and scientific,
therefore, that God should use the whole
material universe in any way he saw
proper to confirm to man revelation
of his law and love.
Christianity is such revelation. 1t
is rational that the Christian religion
should be proved to be of divine origin
by the evidence of miracles. Science
and reason are in harmony with the
the claims made by Christ to come on
a divine mission, to perform divine
works, to teach divine truths, to make
a divine revelation, and establish di-
vine religion. W.T..