The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-02

able, sweeping through all space,
binding all worlds and imperial over
all creation; but they cannot bind the
mind that solves the problems, de-
ciphers the hieroglyphics, utilities
gravitation, harnesses the trade
winds, subsidies the lightning and
interprets the literature of the stars.
Herein is the triumph of the soul.
that it subordinates matter, plays
upon the keys Of physical power, tri-
umphs over the forces of nature, and
becomes in a lofty though secondary
sense a creator. And must heat,
light, electricity and g~ravitation
sweep On forever, and the mind, with
it's full orbed powers, its God-or-
dained attributes and boundless ca.
pacity, be shrouded in eternal night?
If matter is indestructible, is not the
spirit Of man of more value than
the gain Of sand that defies all disin-
%tegrating agencies? These great
principles of science are not cited
as positive proof, for science cannot
radically teach Immortality of the
soul, since it is founded upon the
discoveries of the senses; but we do
find in these laws Of nature some
striking and significant a%nalogies,
and, studying them, we are comforted
ven by their mute testimony, and
our faith is strengthened in the i'm
mortality of man. But again, this
doctrine has been assaulted upon the
ground that it is contrary to the i'm
mutable laws of nature. This argu-
ment has no standing in court, since
immortality Is not under the control
of natural, but spiritual laws. Paul
said, Thou fool, knowest thou not
that which thou soweth is not quick
ened except to die?" Here is an ap-
peal to nature, yet the Christians
faith must stand upon the Word OF
God rather than the laws Of nature,
Notwithstanding nature is full of
analogies to help u minds and If
possible to strengthen the foundation
of faith in the future life. Let us
take a few glances at this question
from the standpoint Of nature. "The
tree, though bare, though covered
with the ice of winter though there
is no bursting bud to be seen, yet
when the springtime returns the bud
swells, the leaves reappear, the flow
ers crown the branches and the tree
brings forth fruit after its kind"
Here is an awakening, a resurrection
to glorious life. And is it not an init
nation that beyond the winter Of
death there is eternal spring, where
the soul will unfold in perennial
beauty, and where life shall take on
immortal glory? There is the cater
a loathsome thing to look
upon.( 1t falls asleep, .weaves itself
a winding sheet, and Is sepulchred
in its ~chrysalis for weeks. There is
sign of life, NO indication of ami
nation, yet suddenly the chrysalis
bursts open, and instead of the loath-
some worm that fell asleep, there
comes forth a butterfly, which en-
chants US with it's beauty. Great Is
the mystery. Who can understand
it? Is it not prophetic? Is it not
symbolic of another resurrection?
John exclaims, 1T doth not yet ap-
pear what we shall be-" Paul de-
"Our vile bodies shall be fash
toned like unto His own glorious
Though buried in the earth,
no block or shaft mark the
place of the Christian, Gods
Word for it, he shall rise again. and
such a Transformation is possible in
the life of a worm. who shall attempt
to limit the possible Transformation
awaiting the human body, which is
the temple Of the soul immortal?
it shall come forth changed.
sublimated and gloriied. Nature
does not absolutely prove this. but
her striking ana]ogies all point in
that direction, and we are justified in
accepting them as the revelations of
God. The final evidence. however,
of the doctrine Of immortality no less
than that of the resurrection, rests
upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul declares Him to be 1.-The first
fruits of them that sleeD," and again,
IF Christ be not risen from the dead,
then there is no resurrection of the
dead; but if Christ be risen from the
dead, how say some among you that
there be no resurrection" He was
our Heaven appointed prototype. He
came into the world as our federal
representative, and therefore, since
He assumed a human body and re-
sumed that body changed and glori-
fed after 1t had been buried for three
days, is powerful argument that we
also shall share in His resurrection.
He met death as our representative,
Himself to be taken captive /,
He might lead captivity cap
He met death in his " ter
plucked out his sting, robbed
him of his crown, devastated his en-
Dire. kindled the star of immortality
the night of death, and three DAYS
hence, was seen standing upon the
verge of the sepulchre crowned with
victory.
'Up from the grave He arose,
A mighty victor DER His foes:
He arose a victor DER the dark domain,
And He lives forever with the saints to |
reign.
Hallelujah! Christ arose."