ason for
rejecting the idea that a revelation was ever made.

Will you, Mr. Christian, grapple with this? I would with pleasure if
there was anything in it to grapple with, but you will see nothing real
in your premises, for objects teach nothing without an instructor. There
lies a brick, pick it up and examine its surface closely; do you, from
it, reach the idea of its maker? No. Yet I know it must have been made,
for I have seen other bricks made, and this resembles them. Very well.
Did you ever see worlds made, and, if so, does our earth resemble them?
But when you saw those bricks made were there not several men engaged in
their manufacture, as well as horses? There is no analogy in your
premises; you beg the question entirely; you take the whole foundation
for granted; your argument is "as clear as mud."

Had you seen others made by only one maker, then and only then could you
by analogy have reached even the idea that ours was made also. Also, the
makers of those bricks may have been of the most base and malignant
disposition, for you can learn nothing of their disposition from the
bricks; they only testify of the skill of their makers--this is all. Do
you not see that you give me nothing to grapple with? The truth is this,
nature gives you no sufficient foundation for religion. Revelation must
of necessity furnish us with that. Without revelation no one can learn
of the existence and character of God. The knowledge of his existence,
power and wisdom might excite reverence, but this alone could not bring
man's religious powers into activity. To this must be added the
knowledge of his goodness and kindness towards, and his love of, those
who are required to worship him. And in addition to all this, there must
be a revelation of the divine will concerning human action, for the term
_worship_ indicates submission and obedience; without this, very
important elements would be wanting, and the system show great
imperfection and want of wisdom--as man could not learn his relation nor
obligation to that great Creator and Preserver of all. But give in
addition the knowledge of man's relation to and dependence upon God,
with a knowledge of his will in the form of law or commands, with
promises of good annexed, resting upon the condition of obedience. Such
a system of revelation would be perfect, fitted to the necessities of
human nature. And you, Mr. Skeptic, have agreed with me, that the nature
of man was true and right.