WE present to you, dear reader, for your immediate attention and serious consideration or the most momentous question that was ever put to mortal man. Yet there is a strange reticence amongst people of all classes on this subject. They will discuss political measures, social schemes, philanthropic enterprise, and even religious organization and what is termed Christian effort; but touch the question of their own soul―its state, its relation to God, its future portion―and, with an air of injured dignity, they respectfully but firmly decline to converse, and if possible give the offender a wide berth in the future.
But, confronted as we are with this query, we must, submit it to you regardless of all such consequences. So great is it, we confess we fear to touch it, but may God by His Holy Spirit carry home His word, and He shall have all the glory.
Observe, first, how intensely personal this question is. It speaks not of a realm, or a congregation, or a family, but “a man.” Reader, “thou art the man!” Thy soul is at stake, thine endless portion is involved, therefore we charge thee give heed! Do not shoulder upon another the responsibility that is your own, for it concerns “your own soul.” Whatever else you may share with others, your soul is your own.
Many a reckless young man has said, “I’ll have my fling of the world, I’ll enjoy life to the full, and it will be all right at last―my mother’s prayers will be answered.”
Young man, it is your own soul! Your mother cannot save it, all the prayers that ever were offered cannot deliver it; neglect it, and it will perish, perish Forever, and perish beyond all hope of recovery. Then, as you love your own soul, awake! face this question, and answer it, not to us, but to God.
Notice, next, the tremendous value attached to your own soul. Two things are put in the balances.
“THE WHOLE WORLD”― “YOUR OWN SOUL.”
Had Michael the archangel uttered these words, we might have been disposed to say he had exaggerated; had Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, laid down such a problem, we might have said he had been carried away with enthusiasm; but they are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Him who gave the soul to man, and therefore alone knows its value.
We repeat the words, and we pray you ponder them well: “The whole world”― “Your own soul.” If we could calculate the wealth of the British Isles, the figures would astonish us; if we could estimate the monetary value of our colonies, we should be equally surprised; if we had the faintest conception of the untold riches of “the whole world” discovered and unexplored, we should be dumbfounded. Yet put that on one side and “your own soul” on the other, and the comparison must strike you forcibly. The value of the world is inconceivably great, but that of “your own soul” is infinitely greater.
Oh, unconverted reader! can you, dare you, will you trifle with that which is of such priceless value to God? We tremble as we think how you are lightly treating this matter. Perhaps you are bartering away your own soul for a glass of whiskey, ruining it by the gratification of your own lust, selling it for a share in “the pleasures of sin” which are only “for a season.”
“Ah!” ‘says someone, “I knew you did not refer to me. I indulge in none of these things; I am a church member, a district visitor, a Sunday-school teacher, an open-air worker; I do my utmost to reclaim the masses of whom you write.”
But, friend, what about “your own soul”? Are you saved? If not, you are a traitor to yourself, to your fellow-men, and to God. Religious but lost, respectable but perishing, zealous but, if out of Christ, going straight to hell. We apologies not for such language―God requires us to be faithful, and love for your soul demands it. If you want to learn God’s value of “your own soul,” look back to the cross at Calvary. See there that spotless Victim suffering, bleeding, dying; see His thorn-crowned brow, His nail-pierced lands and feet; penetrate you cannot that awful darkness, but bend your ear and hear that agonizing cry “My God! My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me?” And after that victorious shout “It is finished,” behold Him in the stillness of death. Look still further, and see from His precious side now pierced that stream of blood and water flow forth, and there learn how precious is “your own soul.” He suffered for you, He died for you, His blood was shed for you; and will you, in face of such love, and notwithstanding the awful price He paid, sink that soul of yours in the abyss of hell? Reader, awake! awake!! AWAKE!!!
Lastly, let us remind you that your soul shall exist as long as God Himself―forever. When God made man He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:77And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)). The body is a casket in which God has placed a precious jewel. As one has said, He might, had He pleased, have taken the soul from the body of a fallen sinner and “sent it spinning like a stone into hell.” But He has spared you; your soul’s destiny is in your own hand, you have “heaven to gain and hell to shun.” By simple faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, you―a lost soul―may have salvation on the spot; but neglect this stupendous question, and your doom is sealed. What hell will be to you we dare not contemplate. A mother’s prayers called to remembrance will crush you; recollection of countless opportunities lost and loving entreaties spurned will torment you; but overtopping it all, the dreadful knowledge that in face of God’s gift―the sufferings and death of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s striving―your soul is lost, and that by your own hand, will be hell indeed to you.
We have done. We own there is but little gospel in our message; but this little magazine is full of it, God’s Word overflows with it, and you are well acquainted indeed with its charming sound. We appeal to you―yea, we charge you― by the love of God, by the dying agonies of His Son, by the present striving of His Holy Spirit, by the divine estimate of the value of “your own soul,” and in the light of eternity, face this serious matter. Ere you lay down this paper answer to God the question, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37)). W. B. D.