Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

236 INFLUENCE OF SCRIPTURE1229. A ^^ wise man docs not change his opinion, how much less GodAs a river docs not flow back, or stop in its course, so the order of natureis ffovomcd hi/ fixed iaioSj which are nothing less than divine decrees.1230. ^' Who is so wretched, so neglected, who born to so cruel a destiny,as not to have received any benefits from the gods ? Look at thosewho complain of their lot, you will find that they are not deprived of allcomforts. Is the gift of life nothing? Are there no objects pleasant tothe eye, to the ear, or to the mind ?us with what isGod's kindness does not only supplynecessary to existence, he provides also for our pleasure.Witness the variety of fruits, differing in flavour; the many healthfulvegetables, so great a variety of food for different seasons of the year, someproduced from the earth without culture, even for the idle; animals of allkinds abounding in the earth, the sea, and the air, as if all things innature were tributary to our enjoyment.Consider the rivers flowing gracefullythrough the fields which they fertilize; others, whose deep beds intheir vast and navigable courses, afibrd the means of a profitable commerce,or by overflowing their banks during the drought and heat of summer,water the parched earth and cause it to bring forth abundantly. You denythat you have received any favours, and yet are unwilling to part with whatyou possess.There are some philosophers who do not appreciate the divinegifts. They complain that we are not endowed with perfect health, incorruptiblevirtue, and foreknowledge. They scarcely refrain from impudentlydespising nature, that she has made us less then gods. How much betterwould it be to return thanks to the gods for the many benefits we havereceived, and for placing us in this beautiful world, and subjecting it toour rule, as their vicegerents.1231. ^^The Deity has thought of us from the beginning; and thisworld has been so arranged as to make his care of us manifest. We admitour obligation to love our parents, asthose from whom we derive our existence.They were, however, certainly not the authors of our existence,but were utterly ignorant of the mysteries of nature.1232. " That we are indebted for our existence to an intelligent cause,is evident from the provisions made for our support long before our birth.1233. ^^ The strong instinct of a mother, making her willing to endureany privation for the helpless stranger ; the sacred fountain which, at themoment it is wanted, flows from the mother's breast ; the air adapted tothe lungs, the light to the eye : what more shall I say? a present God isrevealed!1234. " Our kind Father begins to bestow benefits on us before we arecapable of perceiving our obligations to him, and continues them evenwhen we are ungrateful. Some accuse him of forgetting them ; some ofinjuring them ; others believe him to be regardless of his works ; nevertheless,like a good parent, who smiles at the follies of his children, Goddoes not cease to confer his benefits on those uho deny his existence^ hut