fer; I will accept it most cordially.

_Christian_--Then, we are to consider the powers of the mind as so many
men, and hear their testimony?

_Atheist_--Yes.

_Christian_--Will you examine the witnesses?

_Atheist_--You would more properly do that; I wish to hear you.

_Christian_--Very well; I will, then, call on Mr. Judgment, and ask,
Have you given a decision on the question of the existence of God, and
if so, what is your decision?

_Judgment_--There is no such being.

_Christian_--Tell us whether you created the idea of a God, or brought
it into the world with you, and how you obtained the material from which
you manufactured your verdict?

_Judgment_--"Did I bring the idea into the world with me, or create it?"
_What a question!_ Had anybody but a Christian asked it I would have
thought it an insult; but, then, Christians are never thinkers. You
ought to have known that the thought could not have been created by me.
To say I created it would be an endorsement of your foolish idea that
_something_ was made of _nothing_. I have no creative power, much less
the power _to make something out of nothing_; neither did I bring it
into the world with me. _We have no innate ideas._

_Christian_--Then where did you get the material from which you made
your decision that there is no God?

_Judgment_--"_Where!_" I have but one porter, Mr. Reason. He gives all
the material upon which I ever act. If you doubt this try and judge of
anything upon which you have never reasoned. If you can not do this you
must agree with me that judgment can only act and decide by the aid of
reason.

_Christian_--Your argument is conclusive. Now, as you have decided that
there is no God, and also claim that your only aid, Mr. Reason, gave you
the material out of which you made your decision, will you call him and
allow me to ask him a few questions?

_Judgment_--Most willingly. We all are free thinkers, and delight in
investigation. Brother Reason, please call in; Christian is here and
wishes a little information of you.

_Reason_--Mr. Christian, Brother Judgment informs me that you wish some
information from me. Please state your question.

_Christian_--Did you present the idea of the existence of God to your
brother Judgment, and if so, where and how did you come by it?

_Reason_--I received it from Brother Memory, and opened it out and held
it up so that Brother Judgment could scan it thoroughly, and he decided
there was no su