cient. You say that matter cannot now be annihilated,' but no true freeor will value your ipse dixit, unsupported as it is by one particle of

proof.

You tell me that you' are ignorant of mind, except as a property of organised nervous matter." And yet, when you attempt to prove the existence of organised nervous matter,' you will have to take for granted the existence of mind.

You talk about the machinery which regulates the human organs and their functions, will you inform we what it is?

You argue that there is no God, because he does not act in his providential government of the world as you would have him. In this, there is the bold and impious assumption that your judgment of what is wisest and best for the entire universe, is better than his, that you know better than he what laws to establish for the regulation of the world, and when to take away, and to save human life.

Your communication is, indeed too long, and therefore, 1 am obliged to curtail my reply. This error, 1 trust, you will in future avoid.

1 perceive you believe in one portion of the bible, for you speak of an antediluvian world. You say that in the strata of the earth there is mention of change but not of creation. Now, the change is, in many cases, a change of species, and is not this a creation? And the creation of organisms does affect your argument, for it proves a creator, and shows that matter is not self-existent and eternal but under the control of an Almighty being, 'who is God over all, blessed for ever.'

DEFENDER.

THE BIBLE DEFENCE ASSOCIATION.

Last evening a meeting was convened at the Hope Hall, Hope Street, for the purpose of inaugurating a Bible Defence Association for the town of Liverpool. There was a large attendance of the friends of the movement, and the platform was occupied by several clergymen and laymen of various denominations of Christians. In the absence of the Rev. Dr. Baylee, who was announced to preside, but who had been unexpectedly called on college business to London, J. Cropper, Esq., was requested to take the chair. In opening the business of the meeting, he said :-In taking the chair this evening I do so with pleasure, as the subject which has brought us together is one of the utmost importance, one on which we ought to have decided and clear views. 1 believe it is intended this evening to inaugurate the association, and to bring forward rules for its guidance, which it will be for you to adopt.

a suitable prayer from the Rev. Mr. Dawson,

The Secretary (Mr. Page), was requested to read the rules proposed for the guidance of the association. Prior to doing so, he stated briefly the origin of the association, and then proceeded to state its objects, which were the defence of the Bible, and the criticism and exposure of all anti-Christian error, with especial reference to the varied forms of modern infidelity; and the means about to be adopted for the accomplishment of that object would be-lectures, discussions, inquiring classes, the distribution of tracts, and any other plan that might be deemed desirable.

On the motion of the Secretary, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Dawson, the rules were unanimously adopted.

The Rev. J. H. Rutherford then proposed the formation of the committee for conducting the business of the association. He said he had much pleasure in being present on that occasion. The association which they had met that night

This motion was seconded and adopted, and several persons enrolled themselves as members of the association, and the meeting concluded by singing the doxology.-Northern Daily Times, June 23.

Great and wonderful are the machines invented by man to perform his wishes, and to carry out his purposes. As time advances fresh discoveries are made in the scientific world, new triumphs gained of mind over matter, and brightening laurels crown the efforts of genius. Great has been the labour employed to conquer those difficulties; but, as in all labour there is profit, the mental and physical toil incurred in finding out the properties of material objects has proved no exception to Solomon's rule-for though, to use the words of our great writer, Thomas Carlyle, both sweat of the brow and sweat of the brain' have proved the intense interest, and quenchless zeal, and untiring efforts put forth, the labour employed has not been labour lost, as the numerous valuable and ingenious works of man clearly show.

But whilst we admire the consummate skill displayed in the construction of a watch, every wheel so well fitted to the work devolving upon it,-every part so beautifully adapted; whilst we are amazed at the majestic stear engine, with its well-measured stroke, its extensive and extending usefulness. and its tremendous power; and whilst we, with mingled astonishment and deli ht, survey the achievements of man, it seems passing strange that more attention is not given to the study of our own formation. Many there are who will talk almost in raptures of the construction of vessels, the erection of noble edifices, the revelations produced by means of the telescope and microscope, the diversified applications of electricity, &c., who have never given themselves the trouble to search into the mysteries of their own organization. To look at the conduct of our fellow-men as regards this question, it seems almost inconceivable, that whilst so much attention is bestowed on the discoveries, so little, comparatively, is bestowed on the discoverers.

than 2

Let us, reader, just take a glance at man corporeally. 'He possesses no less 245 bones, united together with hinges or ligaments, and we must acknowledge one and all with Dr. Paley, that "the joints wear well." Every time we breathe 100 muscles are called into action.'

'Once in six minutes all the blood passes through the heart.'

'In every 24 hours the pulsations of the heart amount to 100,000, and it cannot but strike the minds of all with wonder that this piece of mechanism, so sensitive, and composed of such soft materials, should last without a single breakdown for frequently three-score-years-and-ten, and more.

Again, we inhale in a day 1,152,000 cubic inches of air, which quantity would fill 77 wine hogsheads, and weigh 53lbs. troy.'

A Such are few facts connected with the human structure; a careful examination of the house we live in' will amply repay the student, and can scarcely

to inaugurate was one which was needed for the time and also for the people. There were many persons who thought it was almost a work of supererogation in the nineteenth century to meet for the purpose of forming an association to defend the Bible, as that good book had stood the attacks of all classes of infidelity for so many years, that there was no need to defend it now. It was impossible for any one who had seen the varied phases of the infidelity of the present day, to deny the fact that there never was a time when there was more necessity for this movement-the defence of the Bible. He then pointed out the great strides infidelity was making, and the necessity of spreading the truths of the Bible, and concluded by proposing the committee.

This motion was seconded and adopted, and several persons enrolled themselves as members of the association, and the meeting concluded by singing the doxology-Northern Daily Times, June 23.

MAN, KNOW THYSELF.

Great and wonderful are the machines invented by man to perform his wishes, and to carry out his purposes. As time advances fresh discoveries are made in the scientific world, new triumphs gained of mind over matter, and brightening laurels crown the efforts of genius. Great has been the labour employed to conquer those difficulties; but, as in all labour there is profit, the mental and physical toil incurred in finding out the properties of material objects has proved no exception to Solomon's rule-for though, to use the words of our great writer, Thomas Carlyle, both sweat of the brow and sweat of the brain' have proved the intense interest, and quenchless zeal, and untiring efforts put forth, the labour employed has not been labour lost, as the numerous valuable and ingenious works of man clearly show.

are

But whilst we admire the consummate skill displayed in the construction of a watch, every wheel so well fitted to the work devolving upon it,-every part so beautifully adapted; whilst we are amazed at the majestic stear engine, with its well-measured stroke, its extensive and extending usefulness. and its tremendous power; and whilst we, with mingled astonishment and deli: ht, survey the achievements of man, it seems passing strange that more attention is not given to the study of our own formation. Many there are who will talk almost in raptures of the construction of vessels, the erection of noble edifices, the revelations produced by means of the telescope and microscope, the di ersified applications of electricity, &c., who have never given themselves the trouble to search into the mysteries of their own organization. To look at the conduct of our fellow-men as regards this question, it seems almost inconceivable, that whilst so much attention is bestowed on the discoveries, so little, comparatively, is bestowed on the discoverers.

Let us, reader, just take a glance at man corporeally. 'He possesses no less than 245 bones, united together with hinges or ligaments, and we must acknowledge one and all with Dr. Paley, that "the joints wear well." Every time we breathe 100 muscles are called into action.'

Once in six minutes all the blood passes through the heart.'

'In every 24 hours the pulsations of the heart amount to 100,000, and it cannot but strike the minds of all with wonder that this piece of mechanism, so sensitive, and composed of such soft materials, should last without a single breakdown for frequently three-score-years-and-ten, and more.

Again, we inhale in a day 1,152,000 cubic inches of air, which quantity would fill 77 wine hogsheads, and weigh 53lbs. troy.'

Such are a few facts connected with the human structure; a careful examination of the house we live in' will amply repay the student, and can scarcely

fail to lead him to the same conclusion to which it formerly led the previously sceptical Galen, to see 'the greatness, and wisdom, and power of God,' and own that the hand that made us is Divine;' for, looking upon man totally,-both physically, morally, and spiritually, we see the image of God before us, and, as Morell remarks, 'Who can doubt the Divine type?' A God,—not blind necessity-not immovable fate-not unthinking chance-not senseless matter, as some of your correspondents would have him, but a real, personal, intelligent, holy, self-existent Jehovah, who by his word created all things, by his power upholds, by his love sustains, -a God in whom the Christians can always confide, and exultingly exclaim, This God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.' 'He will guide us by his counsel, and afterwards receive us into glory.' Yours most respectfully,

SIR,

AMI.

I have to apologise for the delay there has been in the appearance of this notice of Mr. Coombs's last note, and perhaps also for the brevity with which I am compelled to reply to him.

Mr. Coombs is quite at sea in the matter of his admiration. I did not assume that his hypothesis in reference to the inhabitants of Turkey being Mahomedans, while those of England are Christians, does not even touch much less prove the point,' but I proved that the facts, concerning Turks and Englishmen, adduced by him, do not substantiate his hypothesis.

He also confesses that he did not say that it followed as a matter of course that a man born in Turkey must be a Mahomedan, &c.; and this is the point wherein I id his argument halted. To be corroborative of his hypothesis, the facts should have been to the effect that Turks must be Mahomedans, &c., inasmuch as the will is no will, but is necessitated by circumstances.

It is then said, 'If a man is not necessitated to be what he is, he can be different from what he is without being necessitated; but man cannot be different from what he is without some cause for his difference, and the fact of requiring a cause or motive proves he is necessitated to be what he is.' Admitting that man would not change from a present state to a different one without a cause, it would not by any means follow that man was necessitated, inasmuch as his will might, and according to us would, be the cause of that change. Mr. Coombs also in this sentence uses as synonomous the words cause and motive, which seems to be a confounding of things that differ, and also an assumption of the very point in question. Of course, the fact of requiring some external cause to enable man to change would prove that he was not an agent, but it is absolutely impossible to establish that fact.

If the human will does not act independent of external causes, it is not the efficient cause of its own volitions.' This is evident enough, and is just our definition of freedom put into a negative form. Then says Mr. C., ' And to act independent of any other cause is to act independent of evidence.' Yes, when Mr. C. shall have proved that 'evidence' is 'any other cause.' Evidence is corroboration of the truth or falsehood of any statement, has to do with truth rather than action,-operates directly on the intellect, not on the will. The state of mind induced by the evidence may, and doubtless does, form a motive