As to _the time when the soul commences existence_, we have no evidence of such existence except what is manifested in the body. We can only infer, then, that the soul begins to exist when the evidence of its existence commences in the body. To assert that it begins before that time is to violate the principle of reason which forbids us to assume any thing to be true unless there is evidence of it. Thus, without a revelation, we are led to a belief in the existence of two classes of disembodied spirits, the good and the bad. But we have no evidence of the existence of any other created minds except those that have formerly been connected with bodies in this world. So far as animals give evidence of possessing an independent spiritual existence, the same argument that proves the continued existence of the human mind after death, proves that the animal spirit, if there be one, continues after the dissolution of the body. But we can not reason in regard to animals as we can in regard to human minds, for we never had the _experience_ of animal existence to commence with, as we have our own experience in reasoning as to the nature and experience of mind in reference to other beings of the same race. CHAPTER XXXI. PROBABILITIES IN REGARD TO A REVELATION FROM THE CREATOR. We have now completed our investigations as to the nature and amount of knowledge to be gained on the great questions of life by reason and experience independently of a revelation. We have assumed that the great cause of the disordered action of mind is that it commences action in perfect ignorance, while all those causes which experience shows to be indispensable to its right action, to a greater or less degree, are wanting. The great want of our race is _perfect educators_ to train new-born minds, who are _infallible teachers of what is right and true_. We have presented the evidence gained by reason and experience that the Creator is perfect in mental constitution, and that he always has acted right, and always will thus act. This being granted, we infer that he always has done _the best that is possible_ for the highest good of his creatures in this world, and that he always will continue to do so. We proceed to inquire in regard to what would be the best that it is possible to do for us in this state of being, _so far as we can conceive_.