ass proved wiser in the argument that ensued than the inspired
prophet who bestrode him, The great fish Oannes left his native
element and taught philosophy to the Chaldeans on dry land.
One reputable woman, of Jewish lineage,--the mother of an
interesting family--was changed to a pillar of salt in Sodom
while another female of great notoriety known to fame as the
celebrated "Witch of Endor," raised Samuel from his grave in
Ramah. Saint Peter found a shilling in the mouth of a fish which
he caught in the Sea of Galilee, and this lucky incident enabled
the impecunious apostle to pay the "tribute money" in Capernaum.
Another famous Israelite,--so it is said,--broke the record of
balloon ascensions in Judea, and ascended into heaven in a
chariot of fire.

In an age of ignorance wonders abound, prodigies occur, and
miracles become common, The untaught masses are easily deceived,
and their unreasoning credulity enables them to proudly boast of
their unquestioning faith. When their feelings are excited and
their passions aroused by professional evangelists, they even
profess to believe that which they cannot comprehend; and, in
the satirical language of Bulwer, they endeavor to "_assist
their ignorance by the conjectures of their superstition_."

Among the multitudes of diverse and opposing religions which
afflict mankind, it is self-evident that but one religion may
justly claim the inspiration of truth, and it is equally evident
to all reasoning minds that that religion is the religion of
kindness and humanity,--the religion of noble thoughts and
generous deeds,--which removes the enmities of race and creed,
and "makes the whole world kin!" And which, in its observance is