Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-04-20

The tollOiring Essay ioas read by
A. L. LITTELL, ESQ.
before the "CarrolitOn Association for IL,
promotion Of useful kHOtsledgs," FEB. ls49
SUBJECT:
Is Man ImmOrtali
This is problem Of no ordinary interest. 1
has engaged the attention of philosophers and
sages since the commencement Of time; and ia
the course of investigation has called forth the
deepest research, and most profound reasoning
of which the human mind is capable. And, in,
deed, well !. may. No human being has evel
lived, or can ever live who is no, interested il
lis correct and satisfactory solution TO the full
value of an eternal duration Of enjoyment, a'
compared with complete annihiIalion.
In our researches after truth, upon this sub.
jcct, we must take man as we find him; mental.
| Iy, morally, and physically; his history, his pur.
suits, his sources Of enjoyment and aversiOni
and after all, appeal 10 the sure word Of proPh.
ecy, and the uHerring uuth Of reve alton.
ln his physical organization aud develoPe'
menfs man appears to be nearly allied TO the
brute creation around him. The frame work
of bones and its covering Of muscles, sinews,
blood vessels, nerves and skin, seem we'll adap.
ted 10 their intended use, but in all this there is
nothing peculiar TO man; there is no departure
from the usual order of nature; all her operations
are perfect after their kind. If we des cend lhro'
the graduions Of animate nature, from man 10
the most minute insect, we shall find the same
harmony of intention and result: Not only in
the lellciIouS organization of the animal econo.
my, but in It's complete adaptation 10 the mode of
life and supply oGCood and means ofsubsistence
Even inanimale nature bears the same unmis-
takeabIe impress Of wisdom and design in their
construction; and harmony in their movement
and laws. IL we look above us; the sun and
The moon, and the stars perform their annual &
dlurnal revolutions in the same beautiful order.
and move forward in silence, obedience and
grandeur for thousands Of years; exercising The
same benign influence upon The vegetable and
animal kindoms of our world. The order of
the material universe is fixed. There is no re.
peaIng her laws, or changing her course.
We know that man takes his physical being
us do the animals beneath him. He lives as
they do and finally dies; and his body falls into
decay, the particles of matter which enter in.
TO its composition passing off to be incorporated
with the surrounding elements from which they
were originally taken, and for which they have
an abiding and strong affinity. Mortality is in
deIllbIy inscribed upon the physical framework
'of every human being that issues from the hand
OF lis Creator, be ii ever so perlecI and beauli.
full None can escape. Sooner or later we
must all die.
If, then, man is immortal, it is not in conse-
quence Of any peculiar perfection in his animal
economy, or lis capacity TO resist the Unsuitable
and relentless tooth of time. We must search
for the principle of life and re.animaon in
something more subtle and refined connected
with and going to make up an essential part, or
essence Of his existence. This is 10 be found
in the mind Of man; in his intellectual and mo-
raj powers; by which he is capable Of compar.
ing, reasoning, Judging and determinng-of
love, hatred, revenge, gratitude, benevoIence.
Here is broad line of demarka,ion. Here are
powers TO which The brute can lay no claim AMI
which peculiarly distinguish and enoble man.
1t is this which links him to the skies, and gives
him title to immortality. The sIeepIess, ever
active, never dying, principle Of mind, carries
in it, and with it, the sure impress of divinity.
And its constant longings after glory and dis.
tinclion; lis discomfort with present atrainmens
and reachings forward, and upward, Indicate as
plainly its origin and destination, as do the de-
caying particles Of our bodies its final rest
and dissolution. The one being material tends
to earth; the other being spiritual as invariably
and certainly tends heavenward.
The soul is not indebted for its powers and
capacities to the physical organization of the
NONJb JC' 'hS' P'OPSI IAClOloO 10 OlbCH pICNeut'
ed by imperfect physical developments. There
appears to be an intimate yet undelinabe union
between the material body and mmateriaI soul
of man, so that one cannot exist in all its per.
(eclions without the other in the present state.
The body is the exterior, senlient, substance.
The soul is the mmalerial, active, thinking es.
sence. Without the senses the body would be
TO all appearance, lamp of inert matter. The
senses are the avenues Of the soul, and its
means of acquiring knowledge in its present
mode of being, and nothing more. In death
this sentient mode of being ceases; these aven
ues are closed up; and we can only Judge of its
future existence by close observation of its
powers and capabilities in this; and the light o.
observation on this subject.