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PRINCIHAJ • • 1 PUBLISIIEl PBESBYTEnUN PRINTING • 1 .->■.. ■^■>v^**.-v-.-*>.,»a ?^.. > -^ i^ '/n^Y ff »•&'•>■". *iJ-,>k«»*^«i'-f - -.vfc.: >^ U* *JM > ^ ■ ^ , ''^-^"•^INAUGUllAL ADDKE8S PELIVlillKD DliFOUB KNOX COLL H G E 1 I " BY TllK X*aKtilDENT, H. If. McPIIERSON, M.A. FBIDAY, NOVEMBER 28th, ls7y: " . ■' ' • REV. PRINCIPAL CAVEN IN THE CHAIR. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIIiTV. PBK8BYTERUN PRINTING COMPANY, 102 DaV STHEBT, TORONTO, '•*~^^^' ■ ^-^'-^'^'ttf rr^ 1 -I I >i i r>sA K 3?|tl*t4pli // l''Ili])A RKV. } PUJ J-nKmiTTHRIAN ...t»-j«fej».'.^ .»i...td«iW- LXAUGUliAL ADDHESS UIXIVKUKU ll);iO)(l. * "V TIIK I'UKHJUKW, if. JI. McPIfEKSON, MA. J-'IilDAY, NOVKMin.;ii -HTM, Ist;): «KV. PR,NC.r.va UAVEN ,N THE CHA,H I'L'JSUSJIKJJ I5Y TJiK SOCiKTN'. ■/\-\^'^Yrl -". ' rj^io KNOX coli.kc;k Rr,v. PRrvCTpAL CAVEN. Rkv. professor GREGG, M.A. Rkv, JOHN CAMPBELL, M.A. Rkv. ALEX. TOPP, D.I). Krv. J. J. A. PROUDKOOT, D.I), H. ir. Mcpherson, m.a. J J. McKERACHER. Jilff orbing ^tc,: W. RE ID. 2ub \)ice-yrfoii)eut : P. NICOL Q^orreapouliing ^«. A. F. Tl'LLV. ^rcaourfr : U. CURRHC, U.A. VLUvator : T). McKAV. Committee : 1'. STRAITH. P.A. i F. BALLANTYNE. U.A. H. McKAY. m wmam Or&iujiry .(I^lfilJci"* • IN; ' ,y Al.l.lSON, J. AcKKsuN, Sti;aki'. ■ / At:ili.soN, Savuki.. 4 JKKIK, 11., U.A. cuKRM., n. •^ItAI I.ANTVNi:, y., M-A- f UlIRNKTT, J. K. S. fJi.KNVurr, W. lUi.roru, f. T. C\Ml'lll.I.l., ISA.M CAMriM'.I.I., Jnlt.N, It. A. CAMritKi.i., Jamks, K\. M'KA/KK, J. 1»., M.l>. l''o\vi.ii', U. 1'". Kl.KTCIIKU, C, H..\. KlTZSlMMONS, \V. (JAI.l.AGltl.R, \V. idol. 1)1 K, V. Gilchrist. J. K., 15. A. , '^llAMIl.TO.V. A. M., \'.\. M Hknry, J. J. Hknry, \V. H. Johnston, J. ^ liKNDKRSON, K. I /WKtS'l'AN, A. 11. I KVANIMI, l.KITC!!, K. \\. I.YMAN, HaKNAI'.A^ MrdRKiifiik, - - /^McIMiiK-dN, 11. U., M.A. ■^ Mt;KKKA< iiKk, I). I Ji^M. Kr.i.i.AU, il. I /< M'i''M>Yl'.N, H. / MrKAY, I). McKlN/.IK, I), »SMiKav, II. ! .M- Rn)l|iIK, i;. (i, Mt Rak, 1). 1!. ; M'l.KI.I.ANh, .\. ' // .McKaki a.m:, a. ' f.'Nicoi., r. Nnor, A. ii^ KiiU, NV, Kolll.t'TSO.N, C, I!. .\. i*^SiRArnr, I'., HA. fhlLSMYrii, VV. J. i le thank you for lo occupy dvu" wish lo nuii,'ni members of t the olTice of tl position to wh us well ns of n for repositig si electing me t when I am t tlulies of tliG fested bv my ] A. !r. INAUGURAL ADDRI'iSS. :<. w. llAUNAllA^ fuK, - --• t.N. II. n., MA. II Kk, I). IW, il. ■•.N. H. I). K. I). * II. K, c;, (1, 1). H. lNI», .\. i.m:, a. I i. . 1'., li.A. VV. J. A. I', Vo the Membc)\u)f Knox Co/uxc Metaphysical aud Literary Society. \\\\\%\\VNS,NN%VV* (;r,Nii,KMKN, -At lliis tlvj lif^i ru!)li(; Mcctini,' of our Society lor the prcscm lu-adcrnic year, it is \\\y duty t« (•lelivcr the usual Inau^^ura! Adda-ss. I am rt;(iuircd to speak to you on some suitable subject. What that subject shall be you kindly leave entirely to my own ch.oice. J'eforc, however, announciny any definite subject, there arc one or two thin;^s which 1 must do. It would be 'unpardonable on niy part were 1 to forget, first of all, to thank you for electing me t(j the position which 1 have to occupy during the present session. Though I do not wish to magnify mv otfice, yet, out of respect to you as members of tlie Society and as Students, j)rei)armg for the office of the Christian Ministry, 1 must say that thr position to which you have elected me is one of honor us well ns of resi)onsi- . ly. 1 nnist, therefore, thank you for reposing such con/ulenco in me ar, ytui have done in electing me to the position. J':s]iecially must I do so when I am conscious of my inabilit)- to ])erform the duties of the office with tlu- efficiency and credit mani- fested by my predecessors. I INAUliUHAl. ADDBKSS. 1 nuist. .Iso. co.>«r..tulatc ihc Society on tl^e vay prosncTous st.itc lu whici. it i.s at ihe i.rcncnl imK-. Hoim Ihc Tcrv l.cK'in.rnK of thMh at all deer •.^^r The intcrcHt also taken hv the nieiv.bersi in the proceedinnH of the SocH'iy has lar|;ely inc renscd. Another thm^ mdicatiiv^ thc'p'osnerity of llic Society, and on wh,di it IS to be congratulated, .s, the prescni satistaci..ry cond.tu.n ofitsConst.lution. In the year .869 the Lonst.tutK n was printed, so that all the naMnbcrs of the Society ni.«ht be tho.nn,hlv acciuainted wuh the laws by .uch,. proceedings should be regulated. Irom time to tin>e rtain numbers heartily interested m ^1- weltare of tie Society saw defects in that Consuiulion; and otherH saw places in it where they tlun.^ht there was room for n rovc-nient. A few 'others a^'ain-not re Orm bu ^ Jervative in their ,miui,.les--- could see neU^deo^ nor room for improvement in the .^ood old Lonsl.tution. The relormers brou,ht forward their measures and the ronservaliyes opposed. The conseciuence was that, aftc eyend hard and yet no doubt profitable struggles, seyera important amendmenis to the t.'oust.tut.on were, from in e to time, successfully made. ( )ne important measure for example, was, the insertion of an article proyidinK o, voUmtary Readings and open ^'f^^''^:;^^'''''^^!^;^ Any meinbermay now speak and read ^^'^^^'l^;^^^'^'^ as often aH he may desire. Another improycmen i the appointment of a permanent crilir. whose ^'"^y i s U> citicise the elocution of the readings and spee< hcs at the ordinary meetings of the Society. Such we. e the • nVoyementsmade. that, at the beginning o the presen session, it was found absolutely necessary to have the INAUGURAL AUUUKSS. 1 ety on the very nenl time. Kroiii )n, the .aitciulant e .rjjcr lha!» it iu« id there is now no ill at all dccrmp. in the liroi-ecdinnh Anuther thiiift and on which it stailory condition the Constitution Ihf Society nnt;ht aws by which its urn time to time the welfare of the >; and otherM saw c was room for not reform, but sec neither dcfeit old Constitution, measures and the ice was. that, afti-r -struggles, several itutioii were, from mportant measure, liele providing for once every month, before the Society nprovcment is the ^lose duly it is t(; and speeches at . Such were the ning of the present ssary to have the Coualiintion rc-printcd, with ibc amendments cmbodie<1 la it. Allow me to mHKConc more prchminary remark.^ I wnJi to nay a word or two regarding the object of i>.c Social). The primary and immediate object is, to cultivate good reading, correct composition, and lluent fxUm/ou speak xng upon literary, philosophical, and scientific (iuestions; und the ultimate object— the grand fmal end wc have in view— is to fit ourselves, as !ar as it lies in our power, for tlie great work before us in after life. You all kno^ how very important it is tliat tlic word of Cod should be read in such a way, that those to whon\ it is read should catch its meaning, just as they would when spoken to. To the furtherance of this object, the exercises of ihf Society undmibtedly tend. They serve also to promote another object, of perhaps still more importance, vi/. : - to develope the power of communicating to our fellow men, in a clear und forcible manner, at any time, the all- important truthsof the Christian Religion, and of defending, without hesitation, those truths against the assaults of all oijponents. That it is the duty and privilege of every Student of our College to take an active interest in the proceedings of the Society will, ther '•% bo very evident to all. 'I'hose, in tlie first jjlace, ». are but beginning their College course, who have liao no experience in public si)eaking and reading, and who, tlieiefore, have not yet been able to control those emotional feelings which invariably attend one's first appearance in public, should be glad of the opportunity afforded by a Society such as ours, to overcome, t estrain those feelings. It is decidedly wrong for any person, if he can possibly avoid it, to make his first attempt at jjublic speaking in the pulpit, because, in such a case, he is sure to be far moie concerned 8 INAL'GUK.M, ADUUKSS about his own state of mind, ;uul his own .suc:c*;ss in the m>re delivery of t!ie discourse which he has prepared, than ah'.nii the iinpressior. ■••iiicli thL- message of nierc) .v.iglit U) jirodu-e or. '.lie iniiids n!\'. i.earts i.^iiie hearers. '.r. ilic case of liiose of Ou,- niiuibers who arc furlher ■-.('.vanced !r. 'licir loilegc 'j.;)'.;rse, and who ronseciuentl) ,iave had (.nnsiderabiO exp'jrier.ce in public speaking and rcading,w'-.i!e eni^aged in i-.nssion wcrK during t!ie suinmer, ;^nd occasionally during ihe winter, w- hold th:.t the exercises of this Socit-'ty are just as necessary as fur those svho have had no such ex[)erience at all. And here, by the way, we take occasion to correct a very prevalent error, regarding the motives which actuate students in conducting the services in the various mission stations in our city. We have heard it again and again said, that these stations give the young men a splendid " chance to try their skill " and see what ihey ca.n do '. It is real!) painful to hear such language — it is n-pugnant to all true christian feeling. Moreover, there is no ground, andean be no ground, whatever, for such a stat'.*ment, forespeciall) at the present time, owing to the plenteousness of the harvest, and the fewness of the laborers, the demand for preacl'ers is really greater than the supply. If, then, the more advanced students have so many opportunities of s]jeaking, apart from any .Society such as this, why, it ma\- be asked, are the exercises of the Society as necessary for them, as for those who may be only in their first year at College? We reply, that for them the grand object of the Soci*'ty is, not merely to aftbrd opportunities for speaking, but for extcmporaueous speaking ; and, what is of perhaps still more importance, for speaking upon literary, philosophical and scientific (juestions. You all know how soon and how insensibly one who is accustom- ed to spea.k only on sacred and solemn subjects, in .sacred places, aiiil o: voice, \\\v\ a ni by ciergynien, Tlien, a^'.iin, i: as sli'.ilenls, liv as o.ne of int t!ie iviost ab.li philosu;.!iy, ar every tl'oiight upon them, s suljjects, and i gent oi)inion, on any one of pared to do il is inoppositioi forwartl for th( lions of our !;i to develop tlii view in our Sc The last mc topic on whicl a few sii^^^estio fiU forms of in engaged in ou clergyman to i to bring forwa most daniaL-in sence of othe defence of til called upon to to the false ph scattered broa popular lectui INALUUKAl. ADiJKK.S.S. \\n siicc'jss in the he has jjrcparecl, ncbsage of incrc) irts >.i' VAC hearers, s who a:';.- llirll-ier who consequently iljlic: speaking and luring t:;e sujnnier, ve .hold that the essary as fur those 11. And here, by t a very prevalent :tiiate students in IS mission stations nd again said, that splendid "chancf n do ! It is reall) )ugnant to all tnie o ground, and can iient, forespeciall) nteousness of the s, the demand for ply. If, then, the / opportunities of s this, wliy, ii ma}- :ty as necessary for their first year at ; grand object of opportunities for ing ; and, what is »r s[)eaking upon lestions. You all who is accustom- subjects, in sacred places, and on ihe sacred, da)-, may act[un-c a tone ol voice, a;vi a manner of speaking, which is exhibited only by ciergynicn, and which, to say the least, is not r.atural. Tlien, again, is it not (.f very great imporiance liiat we, as siiulenls, living in an age which has Ijeen ciiaracierized as one of intense earnestUL-ss, in an age, luo, in wliich the iviust abstruse ([ueslioi^.s in literature, science, and philoso;;!iy, are being i)()[)ulaii/ed to such an extent t'.iat every ih.oughtful individual is lolcrably wrh informed upon them, should be thoroughly familiar with, these subjects, and able at a moment's notice to give an intelli gent 0[)inion, exjjressed in clear and ft)rcible language, on any one of them ? Above all, should we not he ])re- pared to do this when tht;se subjects ai)])ear to leach what is in opposition to C'hri nity, and when they are brought forward for the ])urpose of overthrowing the very fouiula- tions of our faith ? To encourage and helj) one another to develop this power is, at lea.st, one object we have in view in our Society. The last mentioncLl object of our Society suggests a topic on which 1 now desire to speak. I purpose making a few sui^i^fs/zD/is r<\i^(inh'/ii^ //n- lony to deal loit/t the tlilfcr- ent forms of infttlflity \s\\\\\\\-\\c\\ we may be met wliile engaged in our great work. It is no very rare thing for a clergyman to meet nien who have some ol)jection or other to bring forward in opposition to Christian trutli. It is most dam.aging in sucli eases, and especially in the pre- sence of other persons, if he has not a woril to say in defence of the truth. 'J'he clergytnan, again, is often calL-d upon tu speak, and sometimes to write in opi)Osition to the false philosophy, and false science which are being scattered broadcast throughout the countrv bv means of popular lectures and po])ular writings. Since the very 10 lNAUt;URAI. AHDRE'SS. e.slablishmcnt of Christianity, the great adversary of truth has hail liis agents employi'd in this destructive work. In every at;e he has a Cc!si;s, a ror;j!iyry, and a Julian, or a HiKiic and li Voitaire, or a Spencer, a Darwin, ;i ] i" \U-y, ■- Sir.iuss ami an Arnold. In opposition to tiiese wc rejoice to say that truth has iiad such noble apoioi;ists ■A% Justin .Martyr, Orij^ni, and Tertullian, as J^auiner, HNikr,and raley,and as Drs. Hodge, .McCosii, Christlieb, and a host of others not afiaid to tlnow down the gauntlet, and challenge to the contest any of the opponents of Christianity. On the side of truth we profess lobe; and, therefore, for the defence and the upholding of titith, every favorable opportunity should be taken advantage ol by us. Regirding the way to deal with our opponents, the fust su;4ge.stion I would make is, that we should Mft-/ them on liwir own ^:;rounii. They bring forward arguments iVoni their so-called philosophy and science. Jlcnce, at first, it will not do to ([iioie te.xts of Scripture in answer to their arguments, for many of them do not believe that the i'.ibie is a revelation from (lod, and some of them do not admit even the exisieiKe of a (iod. You must first of all employ scientific arguments to support your ])osi- tion; and then, after you liave done that, you may show that science and Scripture cannot be antagonistic the one to the other, for they are both revelations from the same lieing — the only dift'erence between them being, that one is natural, and the other supernatural; and that the one is designed for a ilitVerent purpose from that of the other As philosophy and science are revelations to us from God, through our natural faculties interpreting what is engraven on our own minds, and reading what is written on the pages of nature around us, wc should certainly use the designed. We i weapons taken triumpli, we ma; own belief, give cause of truth, meeting of the 1 great Dr. 'I'hcoili "However great generations by borne in mind with scientific o| the Church s SK fnnn her inexh.i the steadfastnes ward, I'len," he modern unbelic the more gainful liut, while ad bear in rememl attem]tt to dec to, or unlikely t good we are lab get men to ac< Christ, and thus i« our duty to st which would hii should clear it but there is no stumbling-block ''icy put in our; take stiaightain powder or shot. INAUCiURAL AUOKKoS. If adversary of truth Jcstructivc work, yry, and a Julian, ccr, a Darwin, ;i PI)usition to tiiesc noble apolu^^^M.sts Ian, as J^uidner, :Co.'.ii, Christlicb, own the gauntlet, ihc opponents of rofess to be ; and, holding of titith, taken advantage r opponents, the . we should mat )rward arguments :nce. Jicnce, at ripture in answer not belie\e that some of them do You must first ipport your i)Osi- it, you may show antagonistic the lations from the 2en tiiem being, latural; and tliat lose from that of ire revelations to Ities interpreting »d reading what d us, wc should certainly use them ior the purposes for which iliey were desigix'd. We may thus demolish our enemies with the weapons taken out of their own hands. ICverr such triumph, we may rest assurcti, will strengthen us in our own belief, give us clearer views of it, and advance the cause of truih. In the nol):e words uttered at the recent meeting of the Kvangelicai Alliatice in New ^'ork,bythe great Dr. TheoiloreChrisllieb, of the L'niversity of I'.o.'in: "However great the harm may In- which is done to whole generations by the systems of unbelief, yet it should be borne in miiul that every earnest and honorable contest with scientilic opponents has in the end always euiich d the Church's store of truth, brought to light new weapons from her iiiexhaustil)le arsenal, and denioiistrated anew the steadfastness of the foundations of our faith, l-'or- ward, then," he says, "must be f III their systems. It is ])robable that there is some truth in every system of unbelief. It does not seem possible that the human mind, blinded, though it may be, through the influence of a corrui)t heart, should ever in reality believe Jjure, unmixed error which has not the slightest particle of truth in it. No one can believe that two and two are five. It has been freiiuently maintained, whether rightly or wrongly we do not now decide, that there is an element of truth in every error, ("ertain it is. lu)wever, that in many forms of error there is some truth : and we believe it is the truth, mixed up with the error, that gives the latter plausibility and force. Consequently, if the truth issei)arated from the error, the latter will lose much of its force, and be comparatively harmless. It will, moreover, tend to conciliate our op- ponent, it we admit that his position lias some basis of fact for support, and that there is an element of truth in his belii tive ass for his I we on!) look wii men, wl .■\ notal lulioii, ( in reccr of J'rin younger of deve is not t( there is those w phers n religion entirely truth tl wliereir certain not adi not wa existing of life,^ •till at 1 slate, . matter operati procesh tellectii withou would a certa I.\AL'<.UKAL AlJltKI 15^. •13 the proijcv time :auso of truth is onpoiu-nts — it is •rit-'ia ck'tcrinined for the discovery . he has revealed, iiininic.iting that therefore, if we sc phihisophy or ' forward to the true science, and n on ilicir own lary to enter on ur opponents on 'he t mill that may Lit there is some does not seem J, thouf;h it may eart, should ever •Iiich has not the one can beheve been fre(iuently we do not now I1 in every error. ))s of error there ' irulh, mixed up libihly and force, om the error, die )e comi)arativeI) onciHate our op- as some basis of L'inent of truth in liis belief, liul if, on l!)e o.her hand, we n;ake tiic [)o.si- live assertion that tliere is nut the slightest fouiul.itioii for liis position, anil noi a partii'Ie of irviih in his belief, we only ani;er Iiim, ;',nd cause him lo turn round anil look with scorn on us as un^cieritihc and unpiii!(j>oplii(:,i! men, who ,iij speaking of what wr are totally ijj,iU)r,uU. .■\ nt)tal)le exiinple m.iy I)e drawn I'roni the theory of e\o lulion, ol' which so much has been nuule !)y scieniillc men in reient jears. Look at tin- testimony of l)r. Mc ( "osli. lo tell the of J'rmcelon. it IS useless," he savs. younjj;er naturalists that there is no truth in the ^Vx trine of develo]jinenl, for the) know that there is truth which is not t(j l)e set aside by denunciation." lie admits that there is truth in the tluorv. He has no symp.ith\ with those who denounce it, and says that relii^ious philoso pliers might be more prolitaljly employed in showing the religious aspect of the du'trine, tli.m in ridii.uliit- it .i-. entirely wilhuui .wimdiition. Ib'iving admitted wluiteNur truth there is in the theory, \\c- are prepared lo alu^w wherein it errs. We must allow ihat there lias been a certain progressi\e development in natiu'e ; bul we can- not admit the doctrine iii iis exlre;.ie form, b'acts do not warran't tlie a.ssuni[''.ion ll\at id! living beings now existing have ilerived tlieir existence from [jre\ ious lt)ruis of life, and these again from previous ones, and so 011, ■till at last we come to inaniinate matter, in a i',;lligc'nt beings are simply manifest;;tions of the one su^itaiice viewed as possessed (if thought ; and all materia! things around us are mani- festations of the same bein^-, viewed as extended. Now, the truth in the system i.s tl'is : There is only one self- existent and independent heir. ; ; and all other beings derive thei tirely upon upholding dences of declare the handiwork all His woi that God is absolute p delegated \ is inoperat we rejoice that He is statements His power consciousn that, thoug] mind, and distinct bo me that I TJeing distil me. To a with, or art what is CO therefore, t in each of ism, and P: truth is sej: as being ur How, ag: is truth an Appeal to t which are ; ne, :n us extreme in its tenciencv, 1 othi-r doctrines idence. hich is the philo- scicntific men of important truth which gives the lich its advocates I ere is no proper ical causes. In nection between ;ment.il error of , in the ])roper iform succession bly ktK>w. ]-kit :e here to enter, iplc to the same ' I say tliat there "n. It has been imerable forms, substaniially to n existence, and nifests itself in 'orms of tlioiight and around us, lubstance, (iod, ngs are simply I'd as possessed id us are mani- itended. Now, s only one self- II other beings INAUOt'RAL AHUKKSJi. 15 derive their existence from Him, and are dependent en- tirely upon Him. God is, therefore, everywhtre present, upholding all things by His ])ower, and giving js evi- dences of His wisdom and goodness. " The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showetn His handiwork." The hand of the Creator may be seen in ail His works. Another '.n:th taken from tiie sys'.em is, that God is the source of all power. He alone possesses absolute power, while all other beings possess only a delegated power — a i)0wer derived from Him, and which is inoperative without His sustaining power. liut while we rejoice to admit that God is seen in all things, and that He is the source of all power, yet we demur to the statements that He is identified with all things, and that His power takes liberty away from the human will. The consciousness and the senses of every one A us tell us that, though the image of (^od may be seen in the human mind, and His glory in the works of nature, yet He is distinct both from us and them. My very nature tells me that I am dependent on, and accountaljle to, some TJeing distinct from myself and the finite things around me. To affirm, therefore, that 1 and they are identified with, or are mere manifestations of, that Being, is to say what is contrary to the dictates of my nature, and is, therefore, to me an absurdity. We have seen, then, that in ench of these three theories, vi/., Kvolution, Positiv- ism, and Pantheism, there is truth and error. When the truth is separated froin the error, the latter falls, either as being unsupported by facts, or as absurd. How, again, it may be asked, are we to find out what is truth and what error in any system ? We ansv.er : Appeal to the proper sources ojmidence, i-.nd accept facts which are attested l>y satisfa( tory evidence, whether you i6 INAl'tll/K.M. AIUJKISS. understand ihcni or not. In scientific iiucstior.s ;r„jcal to external ohscrvalior: ; in philosopliical am. ;:>orai (lucstions u;)i)cal to the dictates of your mental and moral nature ; and "n religious (uicstior.s ai^peal to '.lie Word of Ciod. The theory of Evolution, for cximv.nc, U) which we liave referred, falls when broujjht lo iIk- test of ;in adeiiuate ohservaiion of facts. It was heca\ise Darwin went farther in his conclusions than facts war- nnted him, that the French Academy of Science con- demned his work on "The Descent of Man," as m reality unscientiiic, and actually refused to allow lum to become a member of the society. We need uA further enlarge on the i)rincii)Ie here suggested. True s.ience, true philosophy, and true theology, consist man adeijuatc induction of facts made known by external observation, by consciousness of the Word of Cod, and in legitimate iiiferences from these tacts. Any system, therefore, which is not supported by these facts, must be false. I shall mention just another suggestion which may be of service to us in dealing with our opponents. It is this • we should <7/y////v ////c, 'if/t/ /rwoTc; if possible, tlie cause or caust-s i.'hidi h^ui to tluir bflicfs. If we remo\e the cause, then, as a matter of course, we remove the eiTect. If you can show a man that the reason why he persists in liis belief is not a sound one, but one totally unreasonable, then he will probably give up his beliel. WHien a man once really knows that the foundation on which he is building is'a sandy one, he must feel that his edifice is insecure. Now, there are at least two great causes of the forms of unbelief prevalent at tiie present day. To these let us briefly refer : One great cause of unbelief is, the denial of the exist- iNArcL'UAi. aI)ijui:ss. 17 )Rl'i>S. i-iUific ([ucstlor.s ii;ijjc:il ilosopiuciil iim; i^.ioral f your mental and moral IS a])peal to '.he Word Lilion, for cxnini>ic, U) icn brou}j;ht lo ihc tesl lUcls. It was because elusions than fads war- :ademy of Science con- jscent of Man," as in refused to allow him to '. We need njt further ggestcd. True siience, ;y, consist in an adeiiuatc 1)y external observation, if (lod, and in IcKiiimate Any system, therefore, facts, must be fulse. lUj^gestion wliicli may be :h our opponents. It is //// fr//i07i; if />i>ss //>/(', the •if beliefs. If we remove f course, we remove the 1 that the reason why he )und one, but one totally ibably give uj) his belief, ■s that the foundation on ly one, he must feel that ,' there are at least two unbelief prevalent at tiie )rietly refer : is, the denial of the exist- ence Ufa nersonal (k,.1. By a peihonal wou w.' UP.drr- stand, not"a being idetitilWd wit', nature, ncM- a s- re an of tendency wlu.ii makes lor nghiecus-aess, mh ya a being somewliere away coffin mluute spac.'. wno, as Uc ancient Kpl.ure.ns supposed, sent the wor.d ^^M"^^"' n.. and then retired to ^>>;^' '-,; ; cernesil)!e, i'or l!ie laws ut" nature are iinnnitahle — incxorah'i. — and eaniv)t "dc chan;^ed or sus')en(;ec'. ; and a'<-op'.i!i:; iO oduss, miracles, if not iiuposhii'Ie, ar«.' at least iMi-redih'e— MO anionnt of eviderue can warrant vis in l)elie\in- that t!iey ever diii happen. Now, what we Avish ti» sliow here is, that U(j one, really l)e!ie\in^; in the existence of a personal (loil who keeps the heavenly Ixjdies in their plaees, who is the author of all the heauty and i^'randeur of the universe, and "in whom we live, move, and have our hein^'," will ever dare to deny that lie mav not at any time, for some wise purpose, act in a maiiiu'r dil'fereiU from what appears to us lo he His uniform melhoil. 'i'o hear some peopU.- talk ol the •' rei^n of law," the " immutability of law," itc, one \vi)uld think that (lod was sul)ject lo somethini,' superior to, and independent of. Himself, and any aUempt on H' - !)art to interfere with the order of nature would be a ihinj; intolerable. JUit, when weeoiisaJer that these laws ai'e not lhini;s independent of (iod, and, in iact, have no meaning' whatever unless we understand by them tlie uniform and regular metlnxl in which He, who is the source of all jjower. operates in the universe, then all j^round for disbelief in miracles is removed. Nay, further, sve contend that such supernatural interventions are not only possible, but hi;^hiy probable, for when we think of the deei) necessities of fallen human nature, if we allow the existence of a God of wistlom and ji;oodness, it is just what we mi;^ht expect that lie should in some^ miraculous way iiKike known His will to man. )j<-'li^'l" in a personal (lod makes all clear re^^ardinj^ the credibility of miracles. We mi^^ht show that the same thing is true rcgai a coi 'I'l the i error all I wliei Mill, tual as tl' in til is a\ like the I their in til beca Ir niys( ioiK pliih TriK niea athe seen the with and iiste may pre;i pow INAl'fiL'KAI. ADIiliK^S. 19 evolution theory, a-ry i)r^'vai(.'iU tlis- oiiie, miracles arc arc iminiitahlc — >r s'.i.s;)cn(I;.'c'. ; ami ini])(>ssil'!c, ar«.' at uc car\ warrant us ti. Now, w!\al wc lly l)«.'!ic\inj; in the cci).s till! heavenly orof a!l llic beauty ' ill whom we Hve, (laic to deny that ic piir[Josc, ail in a 1 to us u) he His ieoi)U' talk of" the ul" l.iw, " j'iie., one soiuclhini,' superior 1(1 any aitempt on ' nature woi'.ltl he a .iJer that these hiws ml, in laei, liave no tand by tliem the ■h He, who is the • universe, then all removed. Nay, itural interventions bable, for when wc n inunan nature, if ;dom and goodness, lie shoulil in some ill to num. Uelief rdinjj; the credibility .' same thiiv'- is true regarding tlic efficacy of prayer. lUit we nuist hasten to a coni.IuMioii. The other great cause of infidelity is tlic wrong state of the iuunan h.eart. 'I'his in fa( t is the chief cau>e of all_ error. Indeed, we may s:dely say, that it is ///<• cause ot all that is wrong in ilu.- world. Wc are often ama/.ed when we think that so uKiny men like Huxley and J. S. .Mill, possessetl of vast erudition :'nd wonderful mlellcf- tual power, holil ^uih nvilerialisiic ami atheistic principles as they do. lUit the explanation is to be found here, in the sad and lanu-nlalile fact, lliat the natural heart IS averse to the truth of dod. Hence, " a,s they did not like to retain Cod in their knowledge," He left them to the natural bent of their own inclinati(jns, till at length their char.u'ler and pitiable condition must be de^cribetl ill these woids : "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." In conclusion, I would simjily urge upon you anil u\n)n myself the great lesson to be learned from the last meii- ioned cause of unbelief Jt is not enough to teach mere philosophy and science, in dealing with our opi)onents. True, tlicsc may, and ought olten to be usetl, but only as means in view of a higher c\kI. You may point the atheist to the innumerable evidences of (loci's existence seen in the works of nature ; you may tell him, who denies the cxistciue of a ])ersonal Clod, that he carries about with him in his own body a living witness to the contrary ; and you may tell him that his own consciousness, if on'y listened to, will give the lie to his expressed belief. N c i may do this with good effect. But above all we nnist I)rcach the Clospel of jesus Christ, which alone is the power of God unto salvation; and we must be more > io INAUCl'RAL ADDUMSS. enrncst in pniyor lo Coil for the inlliifnccs of His Spiiit, UMo niciic, tuuliiny tl)ruii,L;li tlictiiilli, (jim l.riiij^ ilic li^lit of truth hov.H- tutlic claikciud Iicarl, ;incl conlbnn the will Oi man tu ilut of his Creator. s. L-nces of Ilis .S|.iiit, , can 1 trill J.; I he \v^\n ml lonfunii ilic will i fdf