July 11

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" — Matthew 16:26.

THE fashion of this world passeth away." There is a period fast approaching when all nature shall sink in ruins. The sun, the glorious luminary of day, shall be eclipsed for ever; the moon in her beauty, and the stars in their brightness, shall cease to shine. The hills, which seem to sustain the heavens, and are styled "everlasting," shall flow down like melted wax at the decree of Him who laid their foundations so deep, and raised their heads so high. Why should we repose our confidence on that which is so transitory, uncertain, and short lived? We have here

AN IMPORTANT TRUTH IMPLIED. The value of the soul. In what does this appear?

From its natural excellences. The soul is possessed of natural excellences, which it cannot be deprived of without losing its existence. It is a living and moving essence, and so excels corporeal matter, which has neither life, sense, nor motion, of itself. Look at the origin of the soul, it is the very breath of God. Genesis 2:7. It is a spiritual essence, which cannot be seen or felt, and so excels the body, which is formed out of dust. The soul is immortal, and is consequently more excellent than the body, which is subject to dissolution.

From the curious texture of the body wherein it dwells. The body, though formed out of the dust, bears the most evident marks of Divine power and wisdom. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," says David. If the cabinet is so exquisitely wrought, how excellent must the precious jewel be that is lodged in it! What a pity that this sparkling diamond, set in a ring of such beautiful workmanship, should be so defaced by sin!

From the price paid for its redemption. We generally form our estimate of the value of things by the price paid for them; if we apply this to the soul, its excellence must be far beyond our comprehension. "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." For souls the Son of God became incarnate, suffered, bled, and died.

Truth is immortal as thy soul; and fable As fleeting as thy joys. Be wise, nor make Heaven's highest blessing, Vengeance; O, be wise! Nor make a curse of immortality. Say, know'st thou what it is, or what thou art? "Know'st thou the importance of a soul immortal? Behold the midnight glory, worlds on worlds! Amazing pomp! Redouble this amaze, Ten thousand add, and twice ten thousand more, Then weigh the whole; one soul outweighs them all, And calls the astonishing magnificence Of unintelligent creation poor."