THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A
FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE.
The Bible—now "The Book of the World"—is God's own revelation to man. That it was penned by holy men of God, who wrote as they were inspired, has been fully manifested by the fulfilment of prophecies; many of which were miracles, and others—in their accomplishment—awful and fearful judgments. Hence, none can doubt its authenticity as God's own revelation to man. It is our only history of the wonderful creations emanating from the Great First Cause; especially the creation of man; his mortal, as well as his immortal nature. From this history we learn that
"God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
Now, man is here spoken of in the plural: hence, the whole race—the entire human family, are included, and this living principle, emanating from God himself, partakes of his own immortal nature, and can never cease or be extinguished. Therefore, the soul, or spirit of man, must continue to endure through all eternity.
The belief in a future state of existence has obtained in all ages; even in the dark regions of heathen lands, where the light of Christianity has never yet shed its radiance, and where missionaries have never penetrated. The mind of man—the thinking principle of human intelligence—seems to have comprehended this great truth; even where Christianity, founded upon Bible truths, is unknown. Indeed, the idea of the immortality of the soul of man seems inherent. For, go where we may, among the aborigines of every heathen clime, even from the Islands of the Bahamas to Hindostan, India, Japan, and China; the savage tribes of South America, the red tribes of our own continent, or even the black races of Africa—all hold the idea of a future state of existence. True, they may not have formed correct opinions as to the nature of the place to which they expect to be transported, nor of the felicities to be enjoyed there; yet all have the idea of a future state, and it has ever prevailed.
If we trace history back to the ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Scythians, the Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans; indeed, with all nations of which history gives us any knowledge, we find that it has ever prevailed. Plato, Socrates, and Demosthenes held the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and of a future state of existence; while such belief almost universally prevails in every land and clime where civilization and Christianity are known. Thus we see it an inherent law of human nature, and, in the minds of all, there is "a longing after immortality."
May we not ask, from whence comes this intuition, that all feel that death to the body is not the end of existence? Is it not that immortal spirit-life which God breathed into our first parents? that spirit-fire which is eternal in its nature? that which can never be quenched nor extinguished?
The Patriarchs, the Prophets, and Seers of old realized that here they had no abiding place, and that they were but pilgrims and strangers on the earth. We are told that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired a better country, and looked forward to a heavenly one. Paul tells us "these all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off." See how Moses submitted to sufferings, and endured privations; yet in all these he "had respect unto the recompense of reward."
How many of those worthy ancients suffered persecutions in various ways for their acts of piety? even cruel mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments. Some were cruelly tortured, others were stoned, and still others sawed asunder; and yet under all these trials, and even scourgings unto death, they held firm in the faith of a living God, a future existence, and "a sure recompense of reward."