THE BIBLE OF NATURE; OR, THE PRINCIPLES OF SECULARISM. A Contribution to the Religion of the Future. BY FELIX L. OSWALD. “Light is help from Heaven.”—G. E. Lessing. New York: THE TRUTH SEEKER COMPANY, 28 LAFAYETTE PLACE. TO THE MEMORY OF BENEDICT SPINOZA, THIS WORK IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PAGE. Introduction, 9 PHYSICAL MAXIMS. CHAP. I. Health, 18 II. Strength, 33 III. Chastity, 45 IV. Temperance, 56 V. Skill, 73 MENTAL MAXIMS. VI. Knowledge, 85 VII. Independence, 95 VIII. Prudence, 106 IX. Perseverance, 116 X. Freethought, 124 MORAL MAXIMS. XI. Justice, 137 XII. Truth, 148 XIII. Humanity, 160 XIV. Friendship, 172 XV. Education, 182 OBJECTIVE MAXIMS. XVI. Forest Culture, 194 XVII. Recreation, 203 XVIII. Domestic Reform, 212 XIX. Legislative Reform, 221 XX. The Priesthood of Secularism, 231 THE BIBLE OF NATURE; OR, THE PRINCIPLES OF SECULARISM. INTRODUCTION. From the dawn of authentic history to the second century of our chronological era the nations of antiquity were beguiled by the fancies of supernatural religions. For fifteen hundred years the noblest nations of the Middle Ages were tortured by the inanities of an antinatural religion. The time has come to found a Religion of Nature.