principle-pendulum clocks-watches-air-pump-spinning jennies-safety lanıp, &c. 77 III. The external comforts of mankind promoted by intelligence and improvements in the arts. Contrast between the past and present aspect of the social state. Wretched accommoda- tions which still exist among the lower classes. Mental improvement would lead to diligence and economy, to cleanliness in person, clothes, and furniture-to tasteful decora- tions of houses and garden-plots-improvements in foot-paths, narrow lanes, villages, &c. 82 Grovelling conceptions of the Deity both in heathen and Christian countries. Just con- ceptions of the Divinity acquired from his external manifestations. Ignorance exhibits distorted views of the Divine character. Attributes of the Deity which science illustrates : 1. The unity of God. 2. Wisdom of the Deity-manifested in the various arrangements of sublunary nature. Particular illustration. 3. Benevolence of the Deity-manifested in the magnificence of his empire. Such views of Deity in unison with the dictates of revelation, and calculated to produce many beneficial effects on the understandings and SECTION VIL Introductory remarks-knowledge and moral action inseparably connected. Ignorance one principal cause of immorality and crime. Knowledge requisite for ascertaining the true principles of moral action. It leads to inquiries into the reasons of moral laws, and the foundations on which they rest,-to self-examination and self-inspection,—and to a comprehensive view of the bearings and consequences of moral actions. Miscellaneous ON THE UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION TO A FUTURE WORLD. Man destined to an eternal state. Knowledge will be carried along with us into that state. Scientific knowledge has a relation to a future world. Evidences of a future state. Causes of the indifference which prevails on this subject. Knowledge prepares the mind for the employments of the future world. Impossibility of enjoying happiness in that world without knowledge and moral principle. General remarks 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. Knowledge would lead to just estimates of human character and enjoyment-various remarks on this topic. II. The acquisition of general information would enable persons to profit by their attendance on public instructions. Scientific lectures-instructions from the pulpit-limited nature of these instructions in consequence of the ignorance of mankind-prospects presented when knowledge is increased. III. Knowledge would introduce a spirit of tolerance, and prevent persecution for conscience' sake. Persecutions 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 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 No. 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. 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 reflec- tions-Consecration of the "Goddess of Reason"-Concluding remarks ΟΝ ΤΗΣ GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE. INTRODUCTION. WHEN 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 bunan 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 execuring 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 edily 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 extermination. The debas 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. ing 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 rational 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 |