Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1902-09-24


the sainted father and mother rises
above that of all the rest. Oh! how
they sing. They used to sing:
20 happy day, that fixed my choice
on Thee. my Saviour and my Goo!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice.
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day. happy day.
When Jesus washed my sins away;
lie taught me how TO watch and pray.
And live rejoicing every day.
Happy day. happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins way"
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 modern-day preachers and
rationalistic hristians, the twenti-
eth century Sadducees, are trying to
reason and argue out Of existence. is
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 stine that cry before il could
penetrate the pearly gates and reach
| the crystal throne. He sent MS 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 in a false
hope. Satan never let's a soul get out
Of his grasp if he can help it, 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 ii 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 l am rather in
clined to think that Peter caught this
glimpse of the Devil during The thick
est part Of one Of his great REVEALS.
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 value in that soul which is little re-
allied. Heavens standard Of values is
not the same as that of earth. but ii is
the correct standard and will continue
, in use throughout eternities long after
the earth has melted with fervent heat
and God has established 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 sus-
tain positive intrinsic value TO their
owners. But it is not our purpose to
discuss the question of mans 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 n human soul by
contrasting the cheapncss in which it
10 held 10y 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 parallels of the lost sheep and
the lost coin, uttered by our Lord in
connection with the words of our
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 prodigaI son.
which follows. we have beautifully IL
Illustrated the intimate relationship
which 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 am hundred sheep i'm the
fold If our parable but every sheep
was different 80 two were exactly
alike. The place Of the lost sheep.
therefore. could not be exactly filed
The completeness Of the shecpfold is
married by the absence of that one
sheep The shepherd misses If
Though the ninety and nine are safe
within the fold H. needs must GO ont
after the lost sheep. So IS 70 with the
human SOUL SO two are alike And
the individuality Of the soul gives IL
am iuc-tiHabIc value I'm the SIGHT Of
Heaven. SO soul can fll the place lr
tended for another s beautiful mosaic
is hcIn" worked out iu Heaven If one
stone i- missing 10 mars The complete
ness ~ fhc whole. d. IL ary wonder
then that an The Heavenly hosts burst
d. g.. d.