OF CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. 437 
future state. The declarations of Scripture on this 
momentous point, always appeared satisfactory; 
and although the circumstances of the resurrection, 
and the manner by which parts of the same body 
would be united, &c. were inquiries pursued with 
deepest interest, we generally found them termi¬ 
nate in expressions of desire that they might be 
prepared, rise with glorified bodies, and come forth 
from their graves “ to the resurrection of life.” 
Questions, similar to those started by these un¬ 
tutored islanders, have frequently been agitated 
among the learned, in the ethical schools of 
Europe ; and our most subtle casuists have found 
no easy task in obviating the difficulties which 
they involve. Even the changes which the body 
naturally undergoes in its present mortal state, 
militate against the supposition, that every atom 
once vitally united to the common mass will be 
included in the body that shall be hereafter, and 
direct us to admit that’ the resurrection must be 
consistent with innumerable mutations. Hence, 
we are taught to infer, that, while the identity of 
personality is preserved, the fluctuations which 
take place in the numerical particles, and in the 
modification of them, in our present bodies, can 
offer no impediment to the credibility of this mo¬ 
mentous doctrine. 
In connexion with this subject, and others of a 
similar kind, the most important referred to what 
might be called their Christian experience—the 
effect of texts of Scripture committed to memory, 
in stimulating to duty, and restraining from sin. 
Often they would ask, “ How can we attain true 
repentance, and a change of heart ? How may we 
know that we are not deceiving ourselves ? How 
can we be preserved from forsaking God and com- 
