Note: It seems probable from some expressions in the following that it with the two preceding statements were at one time introduced into a book. That book was "The System of Nature"? F.R.B.
If any apology was necessary for the introduction of a Register of Births and Deaths in a Book like this it would be to you I should make it as likely to be the influenced party by such a deed, but I conceive no such necessity exists. I have chosen this Book from a clear conviction that it contains many great births and that no better could be chosen. "The Sytsem of Nature" may be called a most powerful work, is prolific with a profound knowledge of nature and cosequently of useful instruction, its sublimity and eloquence of language cannot be surpassed and every attentive reader must be astonished with what facility the author handles the most difficult and abstruce subjects. It is a work that ought to be read by every sound-minded person and the most modest may peruse it without an occasional blush - no bloodshed, plunder, no debaucheries stain its leaves. It is highly moral with strong incentives to virtue.
Some think the Author of the work an Atheist, now such an assertion cannot be proved. Whoever reads the system with attention will perceive that he is a decided Materialist and not an Atheist.
In Part 2nd. Chap. XI he says:-
"If by Atheist is meant a man who denies the existence of a power inherent in matter withour which we cannot conceive nature and if it be to this power that the name of God is given then there do not exist any Atheists and the word under which they are denominated would only announce Fools", etc.
"If however by Atheists are meant those men who are obliged to avow that they have not an idea of the system they adore or which they annouce to others who cannot give any satisfactory account either of the nature or the essence of their immaterial substances who can never agree amongst themselves in the proofs which they adduce in support of their system, on the qualities or on the modes of notion of their incorporceities which by dint of negation they render a mere nothing etc. if, I say, Atheists be denominated men of this stamp we shall be under the necessity of allowing that the World is filled with them".
Such is the Author's idea of Atheists, for my part I think Atheists are rare. Had the Author been such he would not have defied that hidden power in nature of which he so often speaks. The words "First Great Cause" "Great Varent of parents", etc. are frequently used in his sytem of nature and proves he is not a cold or barren Materialist who will not admit any superiority in matter. The Author is certainly at fault in not having given sufficient evidence of a superior power in his assumptions of the qualities and properties of matter, but the light frequently bursts out throughout the work - why he has endeavoured to cover it with a veil can only be a conjecture. He seems at high war with all Theologians who are immaterilaist and it appears for no other reason because they place their God out of nature; he supposes and so do most philosophers that nothing exists out of nature but everything within; hence, the Supreme Being, with matter have co-existed from all eternity, and thus some Materialists suppose their God a Material Being giving laws and direction to matter and motion and life throughout all nature.
The Spiritualist makes his God an Immaterial being who made everything out of nothing, this hand always puzzled me for I have always considered nothing to be a nonentity and consequently this would make the whole creation a nonentity. Now as my own existence convinces me that I am something and that something material, I must naturally conclude that a material being is the cause of my existence, but what I cannot comprehend I seldom like to speak about. I an aware the word "Spirit" is largely used but more in the sense of a word only than in any way conveying sense we apply (when expressing ourselves on relative things) the word Air, Wind, Breath, sometimes when speaking of Ghosts, Phantoms or Shadows we use the word "Spirit" but that means nothing.
I am therefore of the same opinion with the Author of the System of Nature that Spiritualism is but a vague idea of our Ancestors handed down to us.
Naturalism I can understand, I know it too and can esteeem it highly as a great lover of nature and a still greater lover of nature's good. I can hardly judge what the world may call me. I have all my life taken my lessons from nature, she has never deceived me. I always shunned those who were opposed to her and her religion. In Natural Religion I never found any disputants nor enemies. We cannot quarrel about difficult points, all is harmony and truth.
I thank the Supreme, the Great Eternal for having preserved me from so many dangers to which at various times - have been subjected and - repeat with a sincere and grateful heart my thanks for the health and happiness He has vouchsafed me to enjoy to so late and long a period.* May the Great Disposer of Human Events bless you my children with as much goodness and also preserve you from any dire mishaps is the wish of
Your ever affectionate Father
A> BERGH>
Brighton. August 30th, 1850.
* My impaired vision through catarct is now my only suffering and perplaxity.
My dear Father Augustus Bergh died 27th July 1864 in his 86th year.
S. Mills, daughter of the above.
Buried 2nd August 1864 in the Parochial Cemetery Brighton. Grave No. 53. F.H. nearly at top left-hand side of centre path leading from Lewes Rd. to the Chapel. F.R.B.
From the Records in the old Pass Book:
I, daughter of Augustus and Sarah Berg, was with my Father when he died which took place on July 27th 1864 aged 85 years. Buried in the Brighton Cemetery Sussex. He passed the last 26 years of his useful life in ease and comfort in Brighton and neighbourhood.
Sarah Mills.
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