176 THE MIOEOSCOPB AND ITS LESSONS. 



secrets of life and growth in her own hands, so no means 

 that your philosophy can discover will ever successfully 

 analyze the mystery of either physical or spiritual life 

 and growth it all lies in the blessing which is from 

 heaven." 



But this story of mine, illustrating, as it clearly does, 

 " the power of the resurrection," * is surpassed by another 

 sent me while writing these pages, and I give it here for 

 the reader's serious consideration. 



" A young German countess, who lived about a hundred 

 years ago, was a noted unbeliever, and especially opposed 

 to the doctrine of the resurrection. She died when about 

 thirty years of age, and, before her death, gave orders that 

 her grave should be covered with a solid slab of granite ; 

 that around it should be placed square blocks of stone ; 

 and that the corners should be fastened to each other and 

 to the granite slab by heavy iron clamps. 



" Upon the covering this inscription was placed, ' This 

 burial-place, purchased to all eternity, must never be 

 opened/ 



" All that human power could do to prevent any change 

 in that grave was done ; but a little seed sprouted, next a 

 little shoot found its way between the side-stone and the 

 upper slab, and it grew there, slowly but steadily forcing 

 its way, until the iron clamps were torn asunder, and the 

 granite lid was raised and is now resting upon the trunk 

 of the tree, which is large and flourishing. 



"The people of Hanover regard it with an almost 

 superstitious fear, and speak in lowest tones of the wicked 

 countess : and it is natural they should ; for as I stood 

 beside that grave in the old churchyard, it certainly im- 

 pressed me more deeply than I can express." 



Does it not occur to any ordinary mind that, if there 

 * See Phil. iii. 10. 



