May 24

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?—Mark 8:36.

DO I remember that though God designs us to find comfort and pleasure in the gifts of his hand, yet he never means us to seek our highest happiness in them? Do I feel that they are but means to an end; and that end, our preparation for an endless existence? And that if allowed to wean our souls from God and his service, then they become sin to us? Is it my earnest prayer, that though in the world, I may not be of it, but that my heart may be fixed supremely on God?

The whole material universe, the heavens and earth, are not equal in value to a single soul; for the soul is immortal, and has capacities for knowledge, virtue, and happiness, which only God can fill.—GROVE.

The poorest Christian who lives in Christ and walks in daily fellowship with God, is happier than the richest votary of the world. Indeed, such only are happy. There is no solid wisdom, no well-founded hope, no true happiness, but in real piety.—EVELYN.

What is the thing of greatest price, The whole creation round?

That which was lost in paradise; That which in Christ is found.

The soul of man,—Jehovah's breath, That keeps two worlds at strife;

Hell moves beneath to work its death; Heaven stoops to give it life! —MONTGOMERY.