CHAPTER XVII

Summary

The preceding chapter contains facts from which important deductions may be drawn; and the writer has involuntarily been led to inquire, Are we compelled to enter the gloomy recesses of heathenism? If we look at home—a land of light—shall we not find individuals whose ignorance would equal that either of Hottentot or Bechuana? Have not our noble band of home missionaries brought to light instances of the grossest darkness? How many are there who have resisted the force of every argument on the subject, and even laughed to scorn every article in our creed, and have died martyrs to atheism! Let us go to the asylums for the deaf and dumb, and we shall find there persons having eyes to see and gaze on the infinitude of wonders in creation, and possessing minds capable of reasoning from effect to cause, who, previous to their being instructed, were perfectly ignorant of a Divine Being. While then we have these facts before us, we feel compelled to differ in opinion from those who would have us believe, that the volume of Nature “affords the primary and entire proof of God's existence;” and “to vindicate his claim to be, he leaves to the heavens which declare his glory, to the firmament which showeth his handywork, to the days which utter knowledge, and the nights which proclaim wisdom.”