THE RESURRECTIONS OF SPRING. BUT SOME MAN WILL SAY, HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED UP? AND WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME? THOU FOOL, THAT WHICH THOU SOWEST IS NOT QUICKENED EXCEPT IT DIE: AND THAT WHICH THOU SOWEST, THOU SOWEST NOT THAT BODY THAT SHALL BE, BUT BARE GRAIN, IT MAY CHANCE OF WHEAT OR OF SOME OTHER GRAIN: BUT GOD GIVETH IT A BODY AS IT HATH PLEASED HIM, AND TO EVERY SEED HIS OWN BODY.— 1 Corinthians xv. 35--38. THE resurrection of the body is eminently a revealed doctrine. After its announcement in the bible, philosophy does indeed point us to interesting examples of transformation in the natural world, which some have considered as evidence of this doctrine; but they are rather its symbols. When satisfied of its truth, on the testimony of inspiration, these natural changes afford beautiful illustrations of a doctrine so delightful to contemplate: But the analogies fail in some of the most important points: and, therefore, have little force in argument. On the other hand, however, philosophy has ever been 10 OBJECTIONS TO A RESURRECTION. ready to oppose this doctrine with what it regards as insuperable difficulties. The most prominent one is referred to in the text. How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come? enquires the votary of science, confident that his objection can never be answered. Men deposit the bodies of their friends in the grave; but do they remain there? The chemist knows full well that they suffer entire decomposition, and that the ultimate. elements are scattered by the winds and the waves, and are taken up by other bodies, it may be by those of other men; so that the same particles may enter into the composition of a multitude of human beings. How then can the body, which is laid in the grave, be raised; since not even Omnipotence can make the same particles a part of two or more bodies at the same time. From the time of the Mohammedan philosopher and physician, Avicenna, to the recent appearance of the "Anastasis" of a distinguished American professor, this has been the leading objection to man's resurrection: and at first view it certainly seems very strong. The subject deserves careful examination by all the light, which the bible and philosophy are able to shed upon it. And the resurrections of nature around us, at this interesting season of the year, seem to turn our contemplations naturally to man's final deliverance from the power of the grave. I shall first enquire, what is the scriptural doctrine of the Resurrection. THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION. 11 Secondly, enquire whether Natural Religion opposes, or illustrates and confirms the scripture doctrine. And thirdly, enquire what symbolizations of the resurrection are presented in nature at this season of the year. 1. What then is the scripture doctrine of the Resurrec tion? In the first place, the bible distinctly announces the fact that there will be a resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. Marvel not at this, says Christ, for the hour is coming in which all that are in their graves shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. But the fullest and most unequivocal evidence of a resurrection is the graphic and sublime description of it in the chapter containing the text. Now, says the apostle, if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. And this resurrection is to take place, according to Paul, at the coming of Christ. Then cometh the end, says he, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father. But even this clear and decided description does not convince all men that any thing will be actually raised out of the grave. Some maintain that such lan |