If, therefore, I have a soul, and that soul is immortal, what, I next ask myself, what is the value of this soul of mine? For an answer, let me in spirit raise myself above my earthly surroundings; let me, as it were, climb up in spirit half-way to heaven, and there meet my God and there say to Him: " Lord, teach me the value of my own soul! " What does He answer? "Lay not up to thyself perishable treasures on earth, but lay up to thyself everlasting treasures in heaven. For what will it profit thee if thou gainest the whole world and suffer the loss of thine own soul, or what exchange shalt thou give for thy soul? " True, Lord, the world would profit me nothing without my soul. It would not be a fair exchange. My soul longs for God and will not rest satisfied with anything short of God Himself. Here, then, standing before the Most High, I recognize that there are in the whole world of things, just two, and only two things, of prime importance to me, viz., God and my own soul. All other things over and above these two are mere trifles. Remember that passage of the Gospel where we are told the devil tempted Our Lord; where he took Our Lord into a high place . and showed Him all the riches and pleasures and honors of the world, and said to Him: " All this will I give Thee, if falling down Thou wilt adore me." But Our Lord answered him: "Begone, Satan." I, too, were the devil to come to me at this moment and offer me the whole world in exchange for my soul, would imitate my Lord and answer: "Begone, Satan, for what
