"But the extinction of Christianity and its sacred records might prove a great disaster to you sceptics; especially at some of the turning points of your history." "To us! you now really take me by surprise; but, to be serious, how do you make this out?" "Why, it is well known that sceptics, when in expectation of death, often call on Jesus Christ to save them." "A drowning man will catch at a straw." "He would prefer a life-boat." "True." "I ask you one plain question--If you lived on a dangerous coast, would you ever scuttle a life-boat which has rescued many from destruction, and which possibly you may live to need?" "I see your drift, and admire your ingenuity. Of course, I would not." "Well, I will venture on another supposition, and leave you to decide whether I am not right in my conjectures, that even you, with all your antipathies to Jesus Christ, may be surprised in circumstances which would render the sound of his name the most effectual solace that could be given. Suppose, for instance, we were walking together in some vast forest in the far northern part of America, and saw advancing toward us a band of apparently ferocious savages, should we not tremble with fear and apprehension? But suppose, while in this state of terror, we should hear them singing in chorus a verse of some familiar hymn, would you then recoil in terror? Would you experience additional consternation on perceiving that these barbarians had been instructed in the Christian faith?" "I like your illustrations--they amuse me. Can't you favour me with another?" "I will try. Suppose you were sailing among the islands of the South Seas, and, when nearing one of them, would you not rather see the natives on the beach clothed in European dresses, as at Tahiti and Raratonga, than in a state of savage nudity? and would you hesitate to drop anchor if you heard them singing in harmony-- 'Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journeys run: His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.'"