304 



revelation, and how strongly the two systems ex- 

 plain and uphold each other. Indeed, they may 

 truly be said not to be two systems, but only two 

 departments of the same system the same cha- 

 racter is unfolded in both the same plan of ope- 

 ration the same ultimate end. The one dis- 

 plays the system in its commencement, the other 

 in its consummation, the one is the seed, the 

 other the fruit. 



In following out this view, we shall find many 

 circumstances of a very satisfactory nature, which 

 bear upon the subject. Among these is the state 

 of the question as to a future period of existence. 



When treating of entomology, I cursorily no- 

 ticed the transformation of insects, as affording an 

 argument from analogy, frequently adduced in fa- 

 vour of the immortality of the soul ; but there are 

 other natural phenomena, which also seem favor- 

 able to the hopes of a new existence after death. 

 The resemblance between the alternation of the 

 seasons, for example, and the progress and decay 

 of human life, is too obvious to have escaped the 

 observation of any reflecting mind. Spring is 

 the infancy and youth of the year summer its 

 vigorous and sober manhood autumn its mel- 

 low age, when its fruits are reaped, and its la- 

 bours are at a close. At last comes winter cold, 

 desolate and stark an affecting type of hoary 

 years, and of death ; the leafy honours of the 

 woods are fallen, the flowers and grass which 

 adorned the fields have passed away, the music 

 of the grove has ceased ; nature is clad in a 



