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Untitled Article
£ 4 Mr . Parkes , on the Indestructibility of Matter .
Untitled Article
existence ; I say , is it at all likely , or in the least analogous to the invariable conduct of this Great Being to permit the only rational creature of his formation to be destined to annihilation ? In my opinion , the economy which has been observed by the Deity in the construction of the universe , forbids our harbouring the suspicion for a moment , c ' Tu peri re et
Deo credis , si quid ocuiis nostris hebetibus substrahitur ? Corpus omne , she arescit in pulverem , sive in humoivm solvitur , vel in cinerem comprimitur , vel in nidorcm tenuatur , subducitur nobis , sed Deo elemejitorum custodi reservaturV
It has been objected , that the materials of the human frame are separated in a thousand different ways , and wafted by the winds to different quarters of the earth , so as to preclude the possibility of identity being preserved . But how do we know but that provision mav have been made for the preservation of the intellectual spark amidst this rude dismemberment of the body , and that the germ of intelligence may be indivisible , unchangeable and immortal ?
The seat of intelligence , when compared with the whole animal framOj is doubtless very minute * for aught we know , it may be but a single speck , a mere imponderable atom ; and if both were the objects of faith , it would be no more difficult to believe that this speck would
recover its consciousness of identity after an age of insensibility , than that the intellects of a Bacon , 9 . Newton , or a Priestley , from ; the imbecility of infancy ,
* Minucius Felix , Edit . Ouzelii , p . $ 26 .
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should have groXvn to maturity 9 and become capable of containing their vast and multifarious stores , of knowledge and science , only the one is matter of notoriety , the other of credence .
Whenever we think of the wonderful organization of man , his powers of thought , reflection ; , memory , &c . —we are lost in astonishment , and can conceive of nothing within the sphere of possibility , that can be difficult for Almighty power to effect , why then hesitate to believe that this power can revivify the dormant intelligence , and render its seat immortal and indestructible ?
To some minds , the great length of time that may intervene between dissolution and resuscita- - tion forms the main difficulty ; buf we have seen that matter , though buried in the earth for thousands of years , will still retain its chemical properties why then may not mind be capable of preserving its powers of thought and capacity for intellectual enjoyment equally unimpaired for as long a period or indeed , for any length of time tfcat its Creator may assign for its operations to remain dormant or suspended .
ce A spark susceptible of endless joy , Which neither force nor time shall e ' er destroy ; Which shall be safe , though nature clainr my breath , And bid defiance to the darts of death ; To realms of bliss with active freedom soar , And live , when earth and skies shall be-«no more . " Carter . **** * * * ** ********** "Author of life ! in vain tny tongue essays For' this immortal gift to speak thy praise . Carter ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1809, page 24, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1732/page/24/
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