it is not strange that the glorious doctrine of redemption should seem a cunningly devised fable, and Jesus Christ as a root out of dry ground. If no hereafter awaits us, of what importance or real value can the redemption of the soul be? "Let us eat, and drink, for to-morrow we die." But if we are to live for

ever beyond the grave-if the curse of sin must either be removed by a sacrificial expiation, accepted by each individual spirit, or borne forever in the world to come, then the redemption of the soul becomes a theme that angels may well desire to look into. Well might the Father eternal give his only begotten Son to become the propitiation for our sins. Well might he wrap himself in the vestments of our humanity, that through death he might redeem us from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for us. Well might he bear our sins in his own body on the blessings of pardon and holiness might light up all the ages of our endless existence. Such an object is worthy of God,—and of the infinite sacrifice of Calvary made to secure it.

tree, that the

And no wonder that heaven and earth, angels and devils, are enlisted in the solution of the problem of the character of our future existence-a problem that can only be measured by the agonies of the cross and the years of our coming eternity!

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.

When we contemplate her powers-her capabilities of improvement, and of joy or sorrow-and her destination to endless being; then only do we rise to some

just conception of her almost infinite value. Of what importance is a city, a fleet of ships, an empire, compared with one deathless soul of man?

Knowest thou the importance of a soul immortal?
Behold yon midnight glory! world on world!
Amazing pomp! redouble this amaze,

Ten thousand add, add twice ten thousand more,

Then weigh the whole! One soul outweighs them all,
And calls the astonishing magnificence

Of unintelligent creation poor!

CHAPTER XXIII.

CONSOLATION FOR THE BEREFT AND SORROWING.

A FIRM belief in the immortality of the soul is well calculated to mitigate our sorrow and dry our tears when those we love are removed from us by death.

I. It is consoling to think as we see the once fair and lovely forms of friends and kindred consigned to the tomb, that they STILL LIVE, AND MAY RE

MEMBER AND LOVE US STILL IN THE FAR OFF SPIRIT LAND.

Why, what is death but life

In other forms of being-life without
The coarser attributes of man, the dull
And momently decaying frame which holds

The eternal spirit in, and binds it down

To brotherhood with brutes? There's no such thing
As death! What's called so is but the beginning

Of a new existence; a fresh segment in

The eternal round of change.

Though we talk of them as dead, yet theirs alone is "the land of life."

"This is the desert, this the solitude:

How populous, how vital is the grave!"

Well may we write upon the tomb-stone, "Not lost, but gone before." A beloved Christian friend has left us, but he has only emigrated to a "better

country." We see beyond the stream the smoke of his cottage. Was the deceased a tender infant, a lovely little boy or girl? They have part in the great propitiation, without faith, without baptism, without "extreme unction," or any other ceremony. Christ the second Adam has for them fully retrieved the ruin brought upon them by the first. There is no place in hell for infant spirits; for "of such is the kingdom of heaven." Look up, then, bereft and weeping mother! Like flocks of snow-white doves, the souls of the early dead hover over the heavenly paradise, and dwell in the light of God's presence forever.

Even though you may not be a Christian, and therefore feel that you are not prepared to die, yet in respect to the babe that has been removed from you, all is safe. It had no knowledge of God, of his holy law, of the sin of Adam, or of Christ the Saviour, and could have none; and without repentance or faith its little robes are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Think of it, then, not as in that tiny grave where you go to weep, but above the stars; not as while with you subject to sickness, pain, and death, but where none ever say I am sick, and where sickness, pain, and death, are unknown. Not as inhabiting a world of sin, but a citizen of that bright and holy land, where no clouds are seen, no tears flow, where flowers never fade, and where "sorrov and sighing shall flee away!"

II. Do you weep for a pious brother, parent, child or companion? THEY LIVE AND ARE AT REST!

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors." Rev. xiv. 13.

*Isagu him." suit the heat-stricker Jerič of ampared BUL Oi how the tiongir, has soothedċ tur agoLies of a Cons of Deeding hears. T brotuer, my wide, my gende babe we gone, but ther bire immortal win the angels, where I tears are nged ever." Happy Cwellers in that country."

Dreams may not purture a woric si fait,
burrow and si may not emner there.

Time dota not treatue on its fanciest bloom..

"Tie beyond the stars, and beyond the tomb.

Oh could they but speak to us from those realms of peace, how would they chide our sorrows, and bid us to weep no more. Methinks could we in this lower world but hear their joyful chorus-their song of triumph and rejoicing would be

I shine in the light of God;

His likeness stamps my brow;

Through the valley of death my feet have trod.

And I reign in glory now.

No sin, no grief, no pain,

Safe in my happy home,

My fears all fled, my doubts all slain,
My hour of triumph's come.

I have reached the joys of heaven;

I am one of the sainted band;
To my head a crown of gold is given,
And a harp is in my hand.

Do you mourn when another star

Shines out in the glittering sky?

Do you weep when the raging voice of war
And the storms of conflict die?