SECTION II. THE LIGHT OF NATURE NOT ADEQUATE TO THE WANTS OF MAN. 1. It was observed, when speaking of the "laws of nature," that this was an expression to which most who used it attached no distinct or definite meaning. The same remark is doubtless applicable to another familiar phrase, "the light of nature." Many pleasant things have been said, and many glowing pictures sketched by the pencil of poetic fancy, to convince the world of the superior excellency of nature's teachings, and of their perfect adaptation to all the moral and intellectual wants of man. But, alas for the imagination; as the gilded domes of London when exposed to the fog and smoke of her atmosphere soon lose their brilliancy, so these dazzling representations of the light of nature, when exposed to the damp and murky atmosphere of stubborn facts, quickly part with their theoretic beauty. It is not necessary that we enter into any labored arguments to show the fallacy of this doctrine in the abstract, to prove that the light of nature is not sufficient to teach man the way of duty, and instruct him in those things, the knowledge of which is requisite to his happiness,—it is not necessary to do this by speculative reasoning: we have only to appeal to the facts of the case, and we shall have an answer which, in the view of any candid mind, will set the question at rest. 2. In the examination of the particulars which give evidence of the utter insufficiency of the light of nature for the guidance of man, we shall be brief, because the subject matter of the next chapter will likewise have a bearing upon this point. 3. (1.) We will first glance at those nations or tribes who have never been brought within the influence of Revelation, but are to this day under the sole direction of the light of nature. Take the Aborigines of our own land:-What had this light done for them previous to the arrival of our forefathers? how much of know ledge had they derived from it? and how far had they been elevated, and their condition improved by its teach ings? and how did its fostering influences affect the relative virtues, as justice, mercy, forbearance, forgiveness, &c.? Let their actions answer; their constant wars, their hatred of enemies, their horrid cruelties to captives, their love of revenge, and the murder of the innocent for the crime of the guilty. And even at this hour, what better can be said of them? They are yet ignorant of God, of his character and government. They speak of "the Great Spirit," it is true; but their language and conduct with respect to him, show how gross are their conceptions of what belongs to Deity.* Their knowledge of right and wrong is set forth in facts such as follow::- "Before our intercourse with them, a universal custom existed among them of de * Some of them worship the sun and fire as a deity. Am. Ant. p. 209. 11 * stroying most of their female children in infancy. Their excuse was, that they were quite as much trouble to rear, and consumed just as much food as a male child; yet, when grown up, were not fit to go to war as their boys were.' Stewart says. of the Sandwich Isles, that "two thirds of the infants born perish by the hands of their own parents;"† and Ellis informs us that "they sometimes strangle them, but most frequently bury them alive." The same is also true of the natives of the Society Islands, or was previous to the introduction of Christianity. In South America, in former times, the Peruvians offered up human victims upon their altars. The Mexicans did the same, and to a most shocking extent, insomuch that they are said to have sacrificed at least ten thousand victims annually. Such was the light of nature to these people. 4. If we go to other countries, we shall find a like ignorance of God, his government, and human duty. The state of China with regard to religious knowledge, is doubtless familiar to every one; ‡ as is that also of India, where idols without number are set up for worship, and the most abominable and horrid ceremonies *Nar. New Zeal. p. 244. † P. 251. cited by Turner. "The most of the images worshipped are said to be of evil spirits, and for which they give this single reason,—that the good spirits will not injure them; and the evil, or bad ones, by this attention or devotion, may be prevented from doing so." As to their morals, it is added-" there is not a virtue held sacred among them, nor a vice they do not practice." Add to this the account of Jos and the sacred hogs, and we have the light of nature for China." Reynolds' Voyage of the Potomac, p. 348. Horne says they have no less than three hundred and thirty millions of deities! This is perhaps a round number; but if we say only one hundred millions, it will probably satisfy the reader that nature has not been a very faithful teacher to these people. performed in connection therewith. Obscenity and blood mark every step of their superstitions, and no man who has a heart to feel, can contemplate the picture without shuddering. Exaggeration is altogether out of the question, the reality of cruelty and licentiousness, is worse than any description can make it.* Yet these people have had the benefit of the light of nature. How much are they improved by its teachings? 5. If we turn an eye to other portions of the earth, we shall find the same witness. Persia, Africa, Sumatra, and many other places, show how little dependence is to be put in the revelations of nature. The Persians believe in two gods, Ormaze, the author of good, formed out of light, and Ahrimanes, the author of evil, formed out of darkness. They supposed Ormaze made six gods as good as himself, and Ahrimanes opposed to them six wicked ones. Afterwards he made twentyfour other gods, and shut them up in an egg; but Ahrimanes made twenty-four evil ones who cracked the egg, and thus good and evil became mixed. "In *The following notices of Juggernaut will show this :-"We know that we are approaching Juggernaut, though fifty miles distant, by the human bones which we have seen for some days strown by the way." "The walls, gates, and tower, of the temple, are covered with indecent emblems in durable sculpture, freshly painted for the occasion, and made the object of sensual gaze by both sexes." "A pilgrim has laid himself down on his face, and is crushed to death by the wheels of the tower." "Yesterday a woman devoted herself to the idol." The sand-plains by the sea are whitened with the bones of pilgrims; and the place called by the English Golgotha, is where the dead bodies are thrown, and dogs and vultures are constantly seen there." Buchanan's Researches, pp. 101-113. Boston, 1811. This should be universally read. 食食 Tartary, the Philippine Isles, and some parts of Africa, the objects of worship are the sun, moon, and stars, the four elements, and serpents; at Tonquin, the four quarters of the earth; in Guinea, birds, fishes, and even mountains." The Rejangs, as they are called, of Sumatra, believe that tigers are endowed with the spirits of departed men; and so strong is this superstition, that they will not put one of these animals to death, except in actual self-defence. Indeed, the very name of tiger inspires them with awe, and they have a belief among them, that in some remote and hitherto unfrequented portion of the island, these animals have a village, a court, and live in huts thatched with women's hair." * They also believe that trees are inhabited by spirits. Dahomey, in the western part of Africa, affords proof of the morality of the light of nature. The sovereign. is a finished despot; his people view him as a superior being; the greatest among them consider it a privilege to prostrate themselves on their faces before him; all the unmarried females in the kingdom are his property and at his disposal; he selects the most beautiful for himself and sells the rest; at the great national festival he moistens the graves of his ancestors with the blood of human victims; and when he would send them a letter, he gives it to a slave, and orders his head cut off, that when dead he may go and deliver it. The floor of his apartment is formed of human skulls, and his palaces and temples are decorated with the skulls and * Reynolds' Journal of the Potomac's voyage, p. 171. |