The Tupelo journal., 1902-09-26

oSSoS WdshSG lily SlHs away.
But what that song in Heaven is over
one sinner that ~repenteth we cannot
know here. That it is transcend
entally sweeter and richer and fuller
than any song the redeemed sing
here is certain.
And while Heaven is rejoicing over
another soul saved. that Devil, whom
SO many m~odern-day preachers and
rationalistic Christians, the twenti-
eth century Sadducees, are trying to
hanging around the outskirts of the
celestial city and raging in impotent
madness that another sinner has es-
capped his snare and his destruction. He
tried to stihe that cry before it could
penetrate the pearly gates and reach
the crystal throne. He SEM his min
ions post haste to whisper words of
doubt and encouragement in the
heart of the sin-sick soul. He did his
utmost to quiet the rising fears, and
bolster up the confidence i'll a false
hope. Satan never let's a soul get out
of his grasp if he can help il, and on
the days when Heaven is the happiest,
he is having his bluest of days. AS the
music of Heaven over the one repent
ant soul which he has lost floats out
to him it drives him back to earth to
redouble his efforts to send souls to
hell. Where the revival is being felt,
and the cry of repentant sinners is
heard, there you will find Satan doing
his hardest work. Peter declares that
your adversary, the Devil, as a roar
ing lion, walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour." And I am rather in
clined to think that Peter caught this
glimpse of the Devil during the thick
est part of one of his great revivals.
The Value of a Soul.-And if Heaven
rejoices SO over one single soul which
repents, and the Devil works SO hard
to compass its destruction, there must
be a value inthat soul which is little re-
allied. Heavens standard of values is
not the same as that of earth, but it is
the correct standard and will continue
in use throughout eternities, long after
the earth has melted with fervent heat
and God has established a new heavens
and a new earth. The cheapest thing
in the world to-day is.human life. Out
side of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ,
life and the welfare of the soul con-
sumo less thought and care than are
given to the dumb brutes, which JUS
tain a positive intrinsic value to their
owners. But it is not ~ purpose to
discuss the question of mas inhuman-
ity to man, as real and inhuman and
selfish as it may be. We may not be
able to estimate the value which
Heaven puts upon a human soul by
contrasting the cheapness in which it
is held by the world, but perhaps we
may be able to understand something
of it by contemplating the sacrifice
which Heaven was willing to make in
behalf of the lost soul. The song of
Heaven referred to in our text fur
nishes us the secret whereby we may
discover the real value of a soul.
The parallels of the lost sheep and
the lost coin, uttered by our Lord in
COhuCtulon Will tAc "OIdS VI OuI
text, reveal to us two important
facts in regard to the souls value. In
the case of the sheep, individuality of
the soul is set forth; in that of the
coin, its intrinsic value is emphasized.
and in the parable of the prodigal son,
which follows, we have beautifully IL
Illustrated the intimate relationship
exists between God and the
human soul: the empty place in the
household; the vacant chair at the
family table; the love of the father
going out after the son in the farcoun-
try; the full and free forgiveness
which is given before the son has asked
for it, and the joy of the return.
There were an hundred sheep in the
fold of our parable, but every sheep
was different. No two were exactly
alike. The place of the lost sheep,
therefore, could not be exactly filled.
The completeness of the ~sheepfold is
married by the absence of that one
The shepherd misses it.
Though the ninety and nine are safe
within the fold, he needs must go out
after the lost sheep. So is it with the
human soul. No two are alike. And
the individuality of the soul gives it
an inestimable value in the sight of
Heaven. No soul can fill the place in
tended for another. A beautiful mosaic
is being worked out in Heaven. If one
stone is missing. it mars the complete
ness of the whole. Is it any wonder,
then, that all the Heavenly hosts burst
song when a new stone is set and
the pattern grows toward completion?
To understand the value of a soul one
dividuality of every soul. Let this
thought take hold of your heart as
you engage in your Christian service.
Try and see in every soul with whom
you come in touch, as the.Master sees,
some individuality, some characters
tic. which just fits into a place that
God would have filed. Don't be an
by the peculiarities of people.
but try to find in them a greater meas
ure of service for the Master. Don't
try to be like somebody else. Be your
self, doing the will of God. Don't envy
some n else, his gifts, OF position in
the service of the Lord, but realize and
understand that in your own individ-
and characteristics, God can best
work out His purposes, and you will
more perfectly fit into the place left
for you in the Heavenly mosaic.
rTlo Tr4.a yy.J,.o - G1,J
How can we adequately set forth