The evidence to which particularly appeals, is, the works done by Jesus in his life; as the healing of all manner of diseases with a word or with a touch - restoring sight to the blind - hearing to the deaf - speech to the dumb - life to the dead - speaking the raging sea to instant calmness, &c. &c. These works John with the other witnesses testified as done in their presence, and most of them before multitudes of people. These works were performed by Jesus, or they were not. If performed by him, it will be confessed that he is the Messiah, the Son of God. If they were not performed by him then it is also confessed that his disciples were false witnesses, endeavoring to palm an imposture on the world. Let us calmly examine on which side the greater evidence lies.

1st. That a people, called Christians, have lived in the world, ever since the days of Christ, admits of no doubt. That these people have always believed that these works were done by Christ, as witnessed by his apostles, is evident from their quotations of the apostolic writings.

2. The bitterest enemies of Christ to the days of Celsus never denied that these works were done by him. They acknowledged them, but attributed them to the power of magic, as did Celsus himself.

3. These works are said to be done in the presence of multitude. If they had not been done, how easily could the apostles have detected as false witnesses by the opposers of christianity, who were disposed to take every advantage to destroy a religion, which they saw must destroy their own. We will select one of many of these works; the case of raising Lazarus from the grave. The family is described as consisting of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Their place of residence is declared to be in Bethany near Jerusalem. Lazarus died and was buried. A great many Jews are said to be with the two sisters, endeavoring to comfort them. After he had been dead four days, Jesus in the presence of the multitude, said, "Lazarus come forth," and instantly he rose from the grave, and afterwards lived among the Jews. Had this been a false statement, would not the opposers have said, We have gone to Bethany - we have enquired for such a family - we have searched the records of the nation to find it - we have diligently enquired respecting his dying, and of his being raised from the dead by Jesus Christ; but no such family, and no such events have ever been known or heard of there. This contradiction of the Apostle's testimony would have been widely circulated and preserved to all future generations. But of such contradiction to any one work of the Savior the world has never heard, from those who lived in the same country and age, for no others can be competent witnesses.

4. The disciples had no earthly motive to induce them to palm this imposition upon the world, if it were one; but every thing would have dissuaded them from it. Profit, honor, and pleasure are the grand incentives to our actions on earth. These they well knew they could not acquire by testifying these things, but the opposite they knew they must continually meet, as shame, disgrace, poverty, persecution & death. They certainly believed what they wrote.

5. It is certainly reasonable that God should by this means establish a religion for the eternal advantage of his creatures.

On the other side, should a person assert that he believed these works were not done by Jesus, I ask him on what evidence do you base your faith? Have you testimony that they were never done by any competent witnesses who lived where and when they are said to have been done? No: not any from friend or foe. Do you think it incredible that divine power could perform such works? No. Do you think it unreasonable and contrary to infinite benevolence that such works should be performed to bring mankind to believe for their eternal happiness? No. Yet you believe these works were not done; in other words, you believe that they are untrue and false, without one shade of evidence. Will not a man of feeling blush to say he believes any facts without a shadow of evidence? Is it not an outrage on reason and common sense? We must believe the facts or become sceptics; there is no alternative.