! Preliminary remarks. Summary of the external evidences of Christianity. Evidence from Miracles. Resurrection of Christ. Evidence from Prophecy. Predictions in relation to Babylon, the Arabs, the Jews, &c. Internal evidences. Dignity and sublimity of the Scriptures, exhibit the most rational and sublime views of the Deity, give full assurance of a state of immortality, -point out the way in which pardon may be obtained,- inculcate the purest and most comprehensive system of morality, -explain certain moral phenomena, communicate a knowledge of interesting facts and doctrines. Beneficial effects which Christianity has produced in the world, is adapted to every country. Harmony of Science and Revelation. Christianity of the Bible. Evidences of Revela- tion continually increasing. Reason for giving the preceding summary of these evidences. General knowledge enables us to understand the meaning and references of the sacred writings. Figures used in the prophetical writings. Heathen mythology illustrative of Scripture history. Manners and customs of eastern nations. Utility of ancient geography. Natural history and science illustrative of Scripture. Evaporation-rivers-ocean- storms-animated beings-human body-the heavens-plurality of worlds. Advantages which would result from an intelligent study of the Scriptures. Folly of infidelity, &c. 113 SECTION Χ. MISCELLANEOUS ADVANTAGES OF KNOWLEDGE BRIEFLY STATED. Knowledge would lead to just estimates of human character and enjoyment-various which have prevailed, and still prevail. Absurdity of persecution--general remarks, &c. IV. Knowledge would vanquish the antipathies of nations, and produce harmony among mankind. Miseries and devastations of war-jealousies and hostilities of nations- arguments and efforts which enlightened minds would employ for counteracting them. Advantages which would result from the union of mankind. Practicability of effecting it. V. A general diffusion of knowledge would promote the union of the Christian church. Number of sectaries-slight differences of opinion between them. Evils which have flowed from sectarianism-promotes infidelity-retards the progress of Christianity, &c. Folly of attaching an undue importance to sectarian opinions. Remedies for the divisions of the church. Liberality and bigotry contrasted. Character of violent party-partizans. Auspicious effects which would flow from Christian union. Present circumstances favourable to union. Concessions which behooved to be made by all parties, preparative SECTION ΧΙ. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING SCIENCE WITH RELIGION. Increase of knowledge, of late years. Tendency to irreligion in certain scientific inquirers, --- to guard us from similar dangers. Extract from Rev. D. Young. Nature of the pro- posed connexion between science and religion. Attributes of the Deity displayed in his works. Authors who have illustrated this subject, with remarks on some of their writings. Modern system of physico-theology, a desideratum. Newton, Maclaurin, and Robison's sentiments on this subject, Truths of revelation ought to be recognised in scientific instructions. Squeamishness of certain philosophers in this respect. Extract from Dr. Robison. Harmony of Nature and Revelation. Scientific instructions should produce a moral impression. Prayer and recognition of the Deity in philosophical associations. Hypocrisy of skeptics. Exemplified in the case of Buffon. Topics, connected with religion, which might occasionally be discussed in scientific associations. Immortality, its importance in a scientific point of view. Skeptical philosophy insufficient to support the mind in the prospect of dissolution-exemplified in the case of Voltaire, No. I. Ignorance of the dark ages-scarcity and high price of books Nc. II. Superstitious opinions respecting comets and eclipses-Description of a solar No. IV. Proofs of the belief which is still attached to the doctrines of Astrology No. V. Illustrations of some of the opinions and practices in relation to witchcraft History of witchcraft and the numbers that suffered for this supposed crime No. VI. Proofs that the belief in witchcraft is still prevalent among certain classes of Tales of superstition published by the Jesuits-Anecdote of Alexander Davidson, A. M. 173 No. VII. Circumstances which have occasionally led to the belief of spectres and appari- tions-Indistinct vision-Doses of opium-Drunkenness-Dreams-Fear-Tricks of impostors-Ventriloquism-Witch of Endor-Phantasmagoria-Ghost of a Flea, &c. 174-181 No. VIII. Explosions of steam-engines-Accidents in America-on the Liverpool Rail- No. IX. Circumstances which led to the invention of the Safety Lamp No. X. On the utility of the remarks and observations of Mechanics and Manufacturers No. XI. Liberality of Religious Sectaries in America, contrasted with British bigotry 184 No. XII, On the demoralizing effects of Infidel Philosophy in France. Gambling- Concubinage-Prostitution-Profanation of the Sabbath-Danso-mania-moral reffec- tions-Consecration of the "Goddess of Reason" - Concluding remarks 187-191 OF THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE. INTRODUCTION. WHrw we take a restrospective view of the state of mankind during the ages that are past, it presents, on the whole, a melancholy scene of intellectual darkness. Although in every age men have possessed all the mental faculties they now or ever will enjoy, yet those noble powers seem either to have lain in a great measure dormant, or, when roused into action, to have been employed chiefly in malignant and destructive operations, Hence the events which the page of history records chiefly present to our view the most revolting scenes of war, rapine, and devastation, as if the earth had been created merely to serve as a theatre for mischief, and its inhabitants for the purpose of dealing destruction and misery to all around them. Such, however, are the natural consequences of the reign of Ignorance over the human mind. For the active powers of man necessarily follow the dictates of his understanding, and when the intellectual faculties are not directed to the pursuit and the contemplation of noble and benevolent objects, they will most frequently be employed in devising and executing schemes subversive of human happiness and improvement. Amidst the darkness which, in ancient times, so long overspread the world, some rays of intellectual light appeared in Palestine, in Egypt, and in the Greek and Roman empires; but its influence on the nations around was extremely feeble, and, like a few tapers in a dark night, served little more than to render the surrounding darkness visible. The light of science which then shone was, however, doomed to be speedily extinguished. About the fifth century of the Christian era, numerous hordes of barbarians from the northern and the eastern parts of Europe, and the north-western parts of Asia, overran the western part of the Roman empire, at that time the principal seat of knowledge; and, in their progress, overturned and almost annihilated every monument of science and art which then existed. Wherever they marched, their route was marked with devasta tion and with blood. They made no distinction between what was sacred and what was profane-what was barbarous and what was refined. Amidst the din of war, the burning of cities, the desolation of provinces, the convulsion of nations, the ruin of empires, and the slaughter of millions, the voice of reason and of religion was scarcely heard; science was abandoned; useful knowledge was set at naught; every benevolent feeling and every moral principle was trampled under foot. The earth seemed little else than one great field of battle; and its inhabitants, instead of cultivating the peaceful arts and sciences, and walking hand in hand to a blessed immortality, assumed the character of demons, and gave vent to the most fiend-like and ferocious passions, till they appeared almost on the brink of total extermina tion. For nearly the space of a thousand years posterior to that period, and prior to the Reformation, a long night of ignorance overspread the nations of Europe, and the adjacent regions of Asia, during which the progress of literature and science, of religion and morality, seems to have been almost at a stand; scarcely a vestige remaining of the efforts of the human mind, during all that period, worthy of the attention or the imitation of succeeding ages. The debasing superstitions of the Romish church, the hoarding of relics, the erection of monasteries and nunneries, the pilgrimages to the tombs of martyrs and other holy places, the mummeries which were introduced into the services of religion, the wild and romantic expeditions of crusaders, the tyranny and ambition of popes and princes, and the wars and insurrections to which they gave rise, usurped the place of every ra tional pursuit, and completely enslaved the minds of men. So great was the ignorance which then prevailed, that persons of the most distinguished rank could neither read nor write. Even many of the clergy did not understand the breviary, or book of common prayer, which they were daily accustomed to recite, and some of : them could scarcely read it. The records of About the time of the revival of letters, after • As an evidence of the extreme ignorance of those times, it may be stated, that many charters granted by persons of the highest rank are preserved, from which it appears that they could not subscribe their name. It was usual for persons who could not write, to make the sign of the cross, in confirmation of a charter. Several of these remain, where kings and persons of great eminence affix signum crucis manu propria pro ignoratione litera rum, "the sign of the cross made by our own hand, on account of our ignorance of letters." From this circumstance is derived the practice of making a x when signing a deed, in the case of those who cannot subscribe their names. See Robertson's Charles V. and Appendix, No. L. change auspicious of better times and of a more enlightened era. The diminution of the Papal power and influerce, the spirit of civil and religious liberty which then burst forth, the erec tion of new seminaries of education, the discovery of the mariner's compass, the invention of the art of printing, the labours of Lord Bacon in pointing out the true method of philosophizing, and the subsequent discoveries of Galileo, Kepler, Boyle, and Newton, in the physical sciences, gave a new and favourable impulse to the minds of men, and prepared the way for a more extensive communication of useful knowledge to persons of every rank. From this period knowledge began to be gradually diffused among most of the European nations; but its progress was slow, and its influence was chiefly confined to the higher circles of society, and to persons connected with the learned professions, till after the middle of the eighteenth century. About this time there began to issue from the press many popular works on Natural and Civil History, Geography, Astronomy, and Experimental Philosophy, divested of the pedantry of former times, and of the technicalities of science, which, along with periodical works that were then beginning to extend their influence, conveyed to the minds of the mechanic and the artizan various fragments of useful knowledge. It was not, however, till the era of the French Revolution, that the stream of knowledge began to flow with an accelerated progress, and to shed its influence more extensively on the middling and the lower orders of society. Though we cannot look back, without feelings of regret, and even of horror, at the revolting scenes of anarchy and bloodshed which accompanied that political convulsion, yet, amidst all its evils, it was productive of many important and beneficial results. It tended to undermine that system of superstition and tyranny by which most of the European nations had been so long enslaved; it rorsed millions, from among the mass of the people, to assert those rights and privileges, to which they are entitled as rational beings, and which had been withheld from them by the strong hand of power; it stimulated them to investigations into every department connected with the rights and the happiness of man, and it excited a spirit of inquiry into every subject of contemplation which can improve or adorn the human mind, which, we trust, will never be extinguished, till the light of useful knowledge shall extend its influence over all the inhabitants of the earth. Striking, however, as the contrast is, between the state of knowledge in the present and in former ages, much still remains to be accomplished, till the great body of mankind be sti mulated to the prosecution of intellectual acquirements. Though a considerable portion of rational information has of late years been dis |