Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-01-27

tAJ iuunB Lazy OF fttcen.~i
In examining the religious creeds Of all
ages and nations, however debased bv SUI.
prostitution, or blinded by Ignorance and
blgotry, we find involved in them all, The
belief OF the future existence Of the soul. Ii
seems to he inseparable from the rational
nature; and we must remark how much il
adds TO the happiness OF life. Tits the bright
beacon, which draws our attention from the
ills and frailties Of mortality it is the pillar
OF lire, which directs us in our many wan.
derlngs over this dark and troublous sea
II, then, we find it so inseparably connected
with our constitution, and so essential to our
happiness, may we not conclude that il has
some foundation in Nature
We shall now proceed to consider few
arguments which go to strengthen this con-
clusion. Ia considering the nature of mind
as an argument. we would not dwell upon
It's immateriality, in order TO prove immor-
tally. For when we say that the soul is
not extended or divisible, and from this
conclude that what is not made up Of parts,
and therefore the soul, is necessarily i'm
mortal, we conclude as strongly on the 9th
er hand that the soul cannot be created
But while we acknowledge the intimate re-
lation that subsists between soul and body.
so far from thinking this connection neccssa
ry for the exercise of the faculties Of the
mind, it seems to us rather to limit the
sphere of our Information. and that the soul,
whilst imprisoned in this earthly tenement,
Is bu, in an infant state of being.
But why, let me ask. were we made ca
pabe Of lifting our Thoughts from earth, to
range through the infinity Of time and
space2 and why were not our views limited
to the present scenes and enioyments if our
lot is the same with that Of the brutes which
perish2 Although The nature Of mind does
not furnish any direct proof Of the future ex.
istence Of the soul, yet there is nothing alb
snrd in the superstition or contrary to those
laws by which nature is governed 1t bears
astriking analogy 10 the transformation Of
insects
The insect when it breaks the chrysalis,
and is borne aloh on variegaled wings, TO
bask in the snnbeams. is a faint emblem of
the soul. when il throws off the shackles Of
Immortality, and wings its way to the light
of eternity. But there are other circum-
stances, which furnish stronger evidence OF
the souls Immortality. than any melaphys-
ical view of the mind II is derived from
a comparison ofthe faculties and constitution
of man, with his condition.
Howsshall we account for that instructive
desire for immortality and those anticipations
Of futurity inspired by hope2 II is true that
we sometimes hear the wretched proAigate,
who has neglected proffered grace, and
whose prospects for futurity are alarming.
wishing for annihilation: but this is not
generally the case; il is the nature of mind
to wish for immortality. and there is an in
stinctive horror at the idea OF this immortal
spark within us being forever exiinguished.
How essentially different does our anncipa-
tions Of the future, inspired by hope, reader
our situation in this life The good man.
who is tossed by the ills and adversities Of
fortune. could not be saved from the melan-
choiy suggestions of scepticism. were il not
for this principle Of anticipation, which leads
his thoughts forward from this dark. tenn
pestuous scene. to a brighter and happier
world, where he can drink, from the pure
fount Of eternity, joys that never end. Nor
is the uncultiyated child Of the forest diyest-
ed Of this principle, so happy in its tenden-
cy, to inspire US with courage to encounter
our difficulties, and fortiiudc TO support them
He, too, looks forward with exnltation, 10 the
time when he shall visit his fathers in the
land of spirits and where he shall enjoy,
to their full extent those simple estimates of
happiness which he had learned 10 FORM
This it is which causes the martyr to rejoice
even amid the flames at the stake, and exut
when his earthly tabernacle is dissolving, as
il but lifts the veil which conceals from his
mortal vision the untried scenes and enjoy
ments OF this invisible world.
Now, what inference can we draw from
this natural desire Of Immortality, and these
anticipations2 1t appears from what has
been said, that they tend TO increase our
and to stimulate us 10 acts Of du-
~ II has been asserted that they were
only for this purpose, and
that we have no reason to expect that they
will ever be realized,
But il has been well remarked, that if such
are listened to- there is an end
to all belief For. whatever principles are
implanted in our nature and encouraged by
the worthiest instinct of our constitution. we
may safely hope that they will be gratifed
under the government Of a Being who is
good and wise The same con-
clusion is obtained by consideration OF our
present means Of enjoyment, compared with
the conceptions Of happiness which we are
capable of forming,
The sum Of our happiness, Il is true, is
very great There is a great profusion Of
enjoyment furnished by the charms OF soci-
ETY.. the pleasures Of the Imagination, and
hv The inexhan ihie riches of the under