That there is a personal _God_, the creator of the material universe; that he made man of the dust, and woman from part of the man; that the man and woman were tempted by the _Devil_; that they were turned out of the garden of _Eden_; that, about fifteen hundred years afterward, _God's_ patience having been exhausted by the wickedness of mankind, he drowned his children with the exception of eight persons; that afterward he selected from their descendants _Abraham_, and through him the _Jewish_ people; that he gave laws to these people, and tried to govern them in all things; that he made known his will in many Ways; that he wrought a vast number of miracles; that he inspired men to write the _Bible_; that, in the fulness of time, it having been found impossible to reform man, this _God_ came upon earth as a child born of the _Virgin Mary_; that he lived in _Palestine_; that he preached for about three years, going from place to place, Occasionally raising the dead, curing the blind and the halt; that he was crucified--for the crime of blasphemy, as the _Jews_ supposed, but that, as a matter of fact, he was offered as a sacrifice for the sins of all who might have faith in him; that he was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven where he now is, making intercession for his followers; that he will forgive the sins of all who believe on him, and that those who do not believe will be consigned to the dungeons of eternal pain. These--it may be with the addition of the sacraments of _Baptism_ and the _Last Supper_--constitute what is generally known as the _Christian_ religion. It is most cheerfully admitted that a vast number of people not only believe these things, but hold them in exceeding reverence, and imagine them to be of the utmost importance to mankind. They regard the Bible as the only light that God has given for the guidance of his children; that it is the one star in nature's sky--the foundation of all morality, of all law, of all order, and of all individual and national progress. They regard it as the only means we have for ascertaining the will of God, the origin of man, and the destiny of the soul. It is needless to enquire into the causes that have led so many people, to believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures. In my opinion, they were and are mistaken, and the mistake has hindered, in countless ways, the civilization of man. The Bible has been the fortress and defence of nearly every crime. No civilized country could re-enact its laws, and in many respects its moral code is abhorrent to every good and tender man. It is admitted that many of its precepts are pure, that many of its laws are wise and just, and that many of its statements are absolutely true.