CHAPTER I.

STATEMENT OF THE ARGUMENT.

To an unsophisticated mind, the Infidel's want of success in his attempts at proselytism, is a strong proof of the truth of Christianity. The prevalence of Christianity not to be accounted for by the alleged prejudice and bigotry of mankind— -nor by the arts of priests-nor by questioning the soundness of the common sense of men in general.—It cannot be rendered probable that Christianity is untrue.- The Christian therefore can only be induced to abandon it by the offer of something more valuable.—Many Infidels desire no substitute for Christianity—but Christians have a right to demand a substitute.-The specific object of the Infidel's assault is our faith in Christ.—Infidels only united in their rejection of the Bible.—Infidelity variable and uncertain, both in argument and morals—and, in our own times, peculiarly objectionable—therefore, now particularly, no equivalent for our faith. The alleged absurdities of Christianity no argument against it, so long as the rejection of it involves greater absurdities.—The allegations of Infidels as to the irrationality of the Bible illustrated. The essential and universal absurdity of Infidelity.—Summary of the argument.

SUPPOSE a native of one of the islands in the pacific ocean, of great natural acuteness, and considerable mental cultivation, though but partially instructed in Christianity, to meet, for the first time, with an infidel.-Imagine that he had never been told, that any inhabitant of a civilized coun

A

try, doubted the authority of Christianity.-His first emotion would most likely be surprise. He would next manifest some desire to be more fully informed on the sentiments of his new acquaintance. When the unbeliever had stated his opinions of the Bible and the Christian faith at length, if he were a man of perfect candour, it is not unnatural to suppose that some such conversation as the following might ensue.

These opinions are new to me.

mention them to any one before?

Did

you ever

Oh dear yes; all my friends are well acquainted with my sentiments.

You must then, I suppose, be considered a very singular person.

By no means: there are very many others, who, though they may not quite agree with me on smaller matters connected with the subject, are yet unanimous in considering the Bible untrue. But were there any of the like opinions in former times?

Yes; in almost every age, there have been those who rejected Christianity.

And have these been generally thought wise men?

Certainly. Some of them were poets, some politicians, some philosophers,―men remarkable for their natural sagacity, and justly eminent in the arts or sciences which they severally studied. And they did not keep their opinions secret? Not at all. Many of them wrote books on the

subject, which have been esteemed as highly logical and conclusive.

Of course, then, you consider yourselves able to prove the falsehood of the Christian religion. Undoubtedly.

Then our missionaries have not told us the truth. They led us to believe that there were very many Christians in England; but it is not possible that any great number of persons can be found so silly, as to profess a religion, the falsehood of which they may all so readily detect.

Why no, I must do your teachers the justice to say, that upon this subject, they have not deceived you. Notwithstanding all the efforts which have been made by the more enlightened of my countrymen, it must be admitted, that by far the larger proportion of the inhabitants of England, profess to give the most entire credence to the doctrines of the Bible.

Then they must be hypocrites. I cannot come to any other conclusion.

No, I cannot think so either. It is true, that it is not unusual for us to suspect the priests of hypocrisy, and many of the writers on infidelity are fond of urging this accusation against them. But for my own part, I cannot unite in any such sweeping censure. There are, without doubt, wicked and hypocritical priests, and perhaps the greater number of them are of this character; but I dare not deny that there are some so exemplarily virtuous, that it would be malicious to question

their sincerity. At the same time, even these are probably prevented from discerning the weakness of their cause, by a want of impartiality. Then they must be very foolish men.

Even that I cannot admit. Some of them are undoubtedly men of powerful talent and great learning.

There must be many other persons, however, who have no interest in supporting a system of religion which is demonstrated to be false.

Of course; but these are, for the most part, prevented from embracing the truth by the prejudices of education.

Then we have been much deceived in our opinion of the English. Those whom we have seen, appeared to be very quick in acquiring knowledge: but from your account, it seems that your countrymen in general are so stupid, as to hold fast opinions which, in every age, and by men of the greatest sagacity, have been proved untrue. But let me inquire whether they are so very silly on all subjects?

Not at all. They are probably the most intelligent people in the world, and every following century finds them more fully informed.

Yet, if I understand you aright, they have been under the influence of the same prejudices for many ages.

Oh no: I repeat it, they are incalculably improved in every sort of knowledge; and, religion apart, there is perhaps no nation whose opinions,

during the last two centuries, have been more fully changed.

Yet still Christianity must be on the decline?

I cannot say that it is. There are more places of Christian worship built, than at any former period in the history of the country. There is more money subscribed for extending Christianity, and there are a far larger number of Bibles in circulation. These I fear can hardly be considered the symptoms of a declining cause.

Then you and your friends, I suppose, cannot be very diligent in putting forth the evidences of the falsehood of the Bible.

Indeed we are. There never was a time in which so many infidel books were distributed among the people; yet somehow falsehood still prevails, and the influence of the truth, though I hope it is extending, is yet comparatively small. You must now, however, I conclude, be understood to speak of the least instructed class of society. It cannot be, that the wisest of the English nation have been, and still are, thus deluded.

I am sorry to say that, even here, you are mistaken; for though there are, without question, many distinguished philosophers who have unhesitatingly denied the truth of Christianity, yet the other side has produced equally great men; indeed, I fear I should not be mistaken, if I said even greater men.

Those persons, however, who have renounced