** The deist talks of "Nature's God," that is, the powers of Nature personified, for it is impossible it should mean anything else. As a poetic figure, we have no objection to this. But the priests of all religions that have at any time plagued the earth, have agreed in the absolute necessity of inventing such imbodied Gods or idols; and whether they be Jupiters or Jehovahs is no great matter, as they answer equally well as mystic sources from whence to derive the usurped power of the sacerdotal orders; and as relentless tormentors, to keep the minds of their frenzied dupes in perpetual terror. Without these pre-requisities, their trade would soon come to an end. Hence arises their well-known malignity against all who are sceptical respecting the existence of such _supernatural personages_; for those who have doubts about that which is indispensable to the theologians, are denounced by them as abominable Atheists, which, being explained, designates the few unfettered, ingenuous minds, who are capable of perceiving the matchless absurdity of attempting, by any entity, or personified representation whatsoever, to convey the slightest rational idea of that incomprehensible Power, by which countless millions of worlds are ruled. LECTURE FIRST. ON MIRACLES "Man is born in ignorance of everything around him; and this ignorance of natural causes begat terror; terror, superstition; superstition, priests and the priesthood: whose interests and unbending efforts are exerted to perpetuate the ignorance, the fear, and the superstition that gave them birth"