The Penn's Grove record., 1909-05-14

10 tne material tnan the SplrlJudls
We are told that these forces of ma
ture are stern, ~unbending and inexor-
able, sweeping through all space,
binding all worlds and imperial yer
all creation; but they cannot bind the
mind that solves the problems, de-
ciphers the hieroglyphics, utilizes
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
n a creator. And must heat.
light, electricity and gravitation
sweep on forever, and the mind, with
its full orbed powers, its God-or-
dained attributes and boundless ca
pacity, be shrouded in eternal night?
II 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
Q1oCOtCl4CO VI tuS 6C4oCOt u VIC w
find in these laws of nature some
striking and significant analogies,
and, studying them, we are comforted
even by their mute testimony, and
our faith is strengthened in the inn
mortality of a But again, this
doctrine has been assailed upon the
ground that it is contrary to the inn
mutable laws of nature. This argu-
mont hoe M cfo1dfpU in a0rrf cfuoo
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 APP
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 our minds and il
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
sweIls, 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 sou will unfold in perennial
beauty, and where life shall take on
immortal glory? There is the cater
pillar, a loathsome thing to look
upon. 1t falls asleep, weayes itself
a winding sheet, and is sepulchged
in its chrysalis for weeks. There is
no sign of life, no indication of ami
nation, yet suddenly the chrysalis
bursts e and instead of the loath-
some worm that fell asleep, there
comes forth a butterfly, which en-
chants us with its beauty. Great is
the. mystery. Who car understand
it? Is it not prophetic? Is it not
symbolic, of another resurrection?
John exclaims, ut doth not yet ap-
pear what we shall be-" Paul de-
%clares, "Our vile bodies shall be fash
Toned like unto His own glorious
body" Though buried in the EARTH
though no block or shaft mark the
resting place of the Christian, Gods
Word for it, ne shall rise again. and
if 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?
Surely, it shall come forth changed,
sublimated and glorified. Nature
does not absolutely prove this, but
her striking analogies 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 "the first
fruits of them that Sleep" 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 it had been buried for three
days, is powerful argument that we
also shall share in His resurrection.
He met death as our representative,
suffered Himself to be taken captive
that He might lead captivity cap
, tive" He met death in his ter
ritory, plucked out his sting, robbed
him of his crown, devastated his en-
pire, kindled the star of immortality
in the night of death, and three days
, hence, was seen standing upon the
verge OF the sepulchre crowned with
, victory.
Sup from the grave He arose,
A mighty victor DER His foes:
He arose a victor Ger the dark domain,
And He lives forever with the saints tt
; reign.
| Hallelujahi Christ ~arosel"
: Because He lives, we shall live also