Ignorance respecting God may lead either to atheism or superstition,
168. Atheism and superstition compared, 168, _et seq._ Atheism tends
to indifference, superstition to terror, 169. Superstition infuses
into the mind a constant alarm and dread, 170. Superstition allows
of no escape from fear, it permits no hope, 172. It perverts the
moral sense, 173, 174. The atheist may be fretful and impatient; the
superstitious man charges all his misfortunes and troubles to God,
175. Is full of unreasonable apprehensions, 176. Converts tolerable
evils into fatal ones, 177. Misinterprets the course of nature, 177.
Is afraid of things that will not hurt him, 177. Allows himself no
enjoyment, 178. Entertains dishonorable thoughts of God, 180; and
thus is morally wrong, 181. He secretly hates God, and would have
no God, 181. Superstition affords an apology for atheism, 152.
Superstition of the Gauls, Scythians, and Carthaginians; they offered
human sacrifices, 182, 183. In avoiding superstition do not fall into
atheism, 184.
THE APOPHTHEGMS OR REMARKABLE SAYINGS OF KINGS AND GREAT COMMANDERS,
185-250.