rence. Well, as he cannot always reach (speaking after the manner of men) the subjects of foul tragedies in this life, both parties will agree that men must live in a future state, where they shall be arraigned before a proper tribunal, and receive a just retribution. We see, then, that the immortality of the soul is indispensable for the exhibition of the divine perfections, and for the rewarding of the virtuous and the punishing of the vicious, in equal proportions, in a state of existence from which none can escape justice, and in which the soul will always live.

6. Another and still more important argument in favor of this doctrine is, that the soul goes into eternity at death. If this is proved, it establishes for ever the fact that the soul never dies, for nothing in eternity is susceptible of change or death. To prove this position we must rely-wholly upon the word of God, which is so plain and full on this point, as to afford ample testimony. But however clear this fact is recorded by God, some of the professed friends of the Bible have recently become so wise as to dispute the matter, in the face of truth and of God. It seems therefore indispensably necessary that we investigate this evidence, and advocate the Bible, though in brevity. In doing this, it is necessary merely to present a few Scripture facts bearing upon the question, without going into a large quotation or an extended discussion. It is said in that part of the history of Elijah, recorded in 2 Kings 2: 11, that he went by a whirlwind into heaven. And Christ said to the penitent thief on the cross with him, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." And as heaven, or paradise, is the habitation of God, who inhabits eterni

ty-and as Christ went into heaven where he should eternally live with his people, both Elijah and the penitent thief must have gone immediately from earth and from time into heaven-into eternity. The case of the rich man and Lazarus is striking, and bears not only testimony to the fact that the souls of the righteous, but also those of the wicked will live eternally. In this case the narrator informs us that both Lazarus and the rich man died. The one was taken to heaven, and appeared in the embraces of Abraham, while the other was in a state of conscious misery, seeking relief in vain. They were both in the same existence in eternity-though in different conditions. It is plain that they are represented as being in one world, because they saw, and heard, and conversed with each other. And that they differed in their state, and were to continue so, is also clear; because it is said that a great gulf was fixed between them, so as to render hope of change impossible. Another important instance is before us, in the dying expressions of holy Stephen, the first martyr to the Christian faith on divine record. While being stoned to death, and with his expiring breath, he prayed Christ, who had ascended up into heaven-into eternity" to receive his spirit," and it was done. Paul, too, expressed a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which he considered far better than to remain in this world of sorrow, pain, and death. But it would not have been much better, if he were not going into a state of exisience where he would be not only happy, but remain eternally so. All these instances go to prove that those ancient worthies realized the object of their faith. And as God is no respecter of persons, as it regards

their future and eternal being, we have full authority to believe in the immortality of the human soul, both of the just and of the unjust. Besides the cases which have been presented, and others which might be cited, the Scriptures are ample in testifying to the fact in a doctrinal manner. From among the many passages bearing on this question, the two following will be sufficient. Eccl. 12: 7, in speaking of the hour of death, the sacred writer "Then shall the dust return to the earth, as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it." 1 Cor. 15: 53. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

says,

LECTURE II.

SUBJECT. THE INCOMPARABLE WORTH OF THE SOUL.

Matt. 16: 26. "For what is a man profited," &c. &c.

IN discoursing upon the value of the soul, we are conscious that we enter upon a weighty matter; it, therefore, becomes necessary for us to present such arguments as will, under God, impress the mind of the candid reader with the solemn fact, that his undying, imperishable soul, is of infinitely more importance than all things else. This fact is evident,

1. From the account given of the origin of the soul.— In the creation of all things in heaven and on earth, the Great Creator has displayed infinite wisdom, power, and goodness. And when he had performed his mighty work, he pronounced it complete and good. No defect was found in anything that he had made. The heavens and the earth, the sea and the land, were well supplied with living creatures to move therein, and to bear testimony to the perfect intelligence of the Great Designer who gave them being, and provided the elements and the sustenance for their unlimited enjoyment. The all-wise Creator also provided his living creatures with ability to propagate their species, and satisfy the demands of their nature. But although everything was done for the animal creation that was necessary to be done; and although perfection marked all that was made, yet a nobler object was to be accomplished. An im

3

mortal being was to be formed, capable not only of filling the world with a superior race of animals than mere brutes, but also to live eternally, to generate immortal intelligences that should bear the divine impress upon their minds, and many of whom should glorify their Maker by receiving his divine nature in their hearts, after having marred their original glory.

When God made all other earthly creatures but man, he merely said, "Let the sea or the earth bring them forth." But in the formation of man, who was to have a living soul that should never die, he said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Thus the Divine Persons in the sacred Trinity held a deliberate consultation, which indicates the importance of the undertaking about to be entered upon. A being was to be formed whose species should not only be His earthly subjects, whom he should govern in time, and who should adorn his handiwork, and have undisputed authority over His inferior works and creatures, but also to glorify Him, and be under his dominion in a higher, a more noble sphere, nearer to His own spiritual nature and regions. Truly that was an important work-a work which angels delight to contemplate, and for which they glorify the Almighty Maker, especially as they are among his created intelligences, whose nature and excellencies are beyond human conception.

2. The soul of man is evidently important, too, in view of the price paid for its redemption.—Though God made the human soul perfectly pure and free from sin and guilt, yet, at an unfortunate suggestion, man deviated from the path of obedience, and thus by transgression he fell a victim to a disease and a death