[173] So in Thomson's Hymn:-- "Thy beauty walks, Thy tenderness and love. Wide flush the fields; the softening air is balm; Echo the mountains round; the forest smiles; And every sense, and every heart, is joy." [ai] "The idea of God, beyond all question or comparison, is the one great seminal principle; inasmuch as it combines and comprehends all the faculties of our nature, converging in it as their common centre; brings the reason to sanction the aspirations of the imagination; impregnates law with the vitality and attractiveness of the affections; and establishes the natural legitimate subordination of the body to the will, and of both to the _vis logica_ or reason, by involving the necessary and entire dependence of the created on the creator." _Guesses at Truth._ 1st Ed., pp. 122, 3. [aj] Perhaps every cynic delighting in those records should be asked to define what he means by Savagery. Of savages there are evidently many sorts, _e. g._:-- (1) The children of our race;--a condition not beautiful, yet not without hope. (2) Semi-civilized tribes, generally addicted to "fire-water" and other vices of civilization, without possession of its better things. (3) Barbarian princedoms, grown decrepit by reason of wars, caste domination, or a sensual and effete culture. (4) There are also a few wholly uncultured folk, who are more of gentlemen and ladies than our highly civilized peoples;--more truthful, honourable, and courteous;--while, (5) Not a few are savages indeed! These strictures serve as a reminder to add that by Theism is here intended the belief in a Supreme Being, the Father of Spirits, to Whom we shall give solemn account. But it is _not_ meant to include some civilized superstitions, by means of which many men degrade and torment their fellows. Of such men we say, They too are savages indeed! [174] _Reid's Works_, p. 751. [175] _Reid's Works_, p. 743. [176] _Metaph._ II. p. 530. [177] _The Friend_, vol iii. p. 214. Ed. 1844.