May 28

"A living soul."—Gen. H. 7.

EVERY thing connected with the soul is mysterious and wonderful, and calculated to fill our minds with astonishment; but its eternal duration stamps it with the greatest value and importance.

Another argument in proof of its immortality is,

THE PRICE PAID FOR ITS REDEMPTION. "The redemption of the soul is precious." If the soul is not immortal, then we are in no danger of future punishment; and if this be the case, how is Christ said to redeem us from the wrath to come? If the soul is not immortal, there is no future happiness; and if this be the case, in what sense can Jesus be said to purchase for us an eternal inheritance? Is the soul redeemed by the blood of Christ, and not immortal? Sanctified by the blessed Spirit, and not immortal? Then Christ died in vain, and they also who are fallen asleep in him are perished—then what becomes of the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure? How are we to understand the intercessory prayer of Jesus?—"Father, I will, that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." If we are with Christ where he is, we must be clothed with immortality.

'T is immortality our nature solves;

'T is immortality deciphers man,

And opens all the mysteries of his make:

Without it, half his instincts are a riddle;

Without it, all his virtues are a dream.'

THE HAPPINESS OF WHICH IT IS CAPABLE. It has powers and faculties that capacitate it for the enjoyment of the Deity. There is no part of Christian comfort or happiness that does not depend on the soul's immortality. Are we comforted by the atonement of Christ? That atonement is infinite, and refers to the eternal duration of heaven. Are we consoled by the love of Christ? It is everlasting. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hope points to immortality, and enters within the veil. If the soul is capable of so much enjoyment, and can be fitted to hold converse with angels, yea, with God himself, how absurd is it to suppose it would have been created merely to be the companion of the body for a few years, and then to be annihilated.

THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE. Numerous passages attest the fact. David said, "Into thy hands I commit my spirit:" see Job 19:25-27. Moses and Elias appeared on mount Tabor, at the transfiguration of Christ; how could this have been if the soul is not immortal? Hear the language of the apostle, Romans 8:10, 11, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin," that is its doom by Adam's fall; but the spirit is life, or, as it might be rendered, your spirit lives, "because of righteousness." Again, see Matthew 10:28, Luke 20:37, 38. Angels are said to rejoice at the conversion of a sinner; but why should they, if the soul dies with the body? Let me remember there is an immortality of bliss, and an immortality of woe; be it my highest aim to secure the one, and to escape the other.