CAN YOU AFFORD TO LOSE YOUR SOUL?
By Jos. Clarke
“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark viii, 37. Mankind are very shrewd in their calculations when dollars and cents are concerned. They buy and sell, barter and exchange, all with a view to profit; and when money or profit cannot be obtained, they wisely rest from their toil, and wait a turn in the markets. But when they have the subject of religion pressed upon them, that is, when they are invited to weigh the value of eternal life, and note the difference between this gift and the loss of all, they turn away with apathy, or disgust. Their attention you can hardly attract for a moment; much less, hold for a length of time sufficient to benefit them; they do not seem to like the theme, unless in a very few instances, few indeed, and these often prove to be the candid, honest children of God. Alas! alas! that so many should fail to value eternal life! that so many, like Esau, should say in their hearts, “What profit shall this birthright do to me?” Oh! how many, with the light of Heaven upon their path, choose the way of death; choose it openly, willfully, knowingly. Sinner, we appeal to you. Can you afford to lose Heaven and eternal life? Can you afford to lose a home, an inheritance in the earth made new? Can you lose the friendship and love of God, and his angels, and his beloved people? Can you lose the opportunity now given, to wash in the pure fountain and be cleansed from the stains of sin? Can you accept as the price of eternal life, eternal death? Will you consent to lie down in sorrow and everlasting shame, with vile transgressors, and suffer the pangs of the second death? Will you, as the price of happiness, accept pain? take death for life, shame for honor? Do you not pay dearly for your purchase? Are you not making a bad bargain? Jos. CLARKE.