Excerpt from The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body Asserted and Defended: In Answer to the Exceptions Recently Presented by Rev. George Bush

It is conceded by all that the theme itself is sacred. But the indi vidual who asserts that because it involves consequences so momen. Tous, it should therefore not be subjected to a rigid scrutiny, has alto. Gether misapprehended the spirit of the age and country in which We live. M ere human authority is losing its power to lead, and must in turn expect its own claims to be rigidly tested. And while an adven turer, who, like Professor Bush, boldly assumes to call an established doctrine or usage in question, need have little apprehension of' being condemned by intelligent men, merely for thus venturing, he himself has made a wretchedly mistaken calculation if he does not in turn expect to have his own theory or pretensions as rigidly scrutinized. If right. He may therefore reasonably hope to receive the support of the candid and intelligent: but if such an attempt be made on insuf ficient grounds, or should be based upon crude conceptions, or a total misapprehension of the subject; or should prove to be a mere effort to revive old exploded objections; he will find that the public. To whose verdict he professes to appeal, will not be slow in awarding him the full meed of such ill-timed temerity.

In the ensuing pages we have entered into a thorough investigation of the Theory of the Resurrection propounded by Professor Bush; and also of the exceptions which he has taken to the doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body. Our views of both are expressed freely and unambiguously. The Professor, in his work, has spoken plainly, and in some parts of it with a good deal of asperity, of the doctrines he impugns, and of those who entertain them. The writer of the present work has likewise used great plainness of speech but he hopes that no unkind expression has escaped him in reference to the Professor personally, for Whom he has long entertained, and still does entertain a sincere and affectionate regard. Theological controversy in the time of the Reformation, abounded in the fiercest and most proscriptive denunciations of individuals as well as of Opinions; this, to some extent, subsequently gave place to a tone of discussion so e'x cessively mlld, even where the most important interests were con cerned.* that many were strongly inclined to infer that after all nothing of real importance was involved in the controversy: both alike have proved extremely prejudicial to the interests of truth, and both have now in great measure g1ven place to a frank and manly expression of thought, in the interchange of which it is mutually con ceded that things should be spoken of as they are. Such a course it was the aim of the author to pursue in the work now submitted to the reader.

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