Prove there's a soul that will live forever


A FATHER SCOTT PAMPHLET
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FATHER SCOTT
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PROVE THERE'S A SOUL

That Will Live Forever

Martin J. Scott, S.J.

You maintain that the soul of man is no different
from that of an animal, and that consequently all
this talk about the immortality of the soul is absurd.

Yes, that’s what I hold, and that’s what science
confirms.

May I ask you what you understand by the immor-
tality of the soul?

Why, that’s easy. As everyone knows it means
that the soul will never die.

Why do you say it is absurd to believe that the soul
will never die ?

For the simple reason that everything in the world

eventually decays and perishes. That ought to
settle the matter.

By that statement you evidently believe that the soul
is not different from the material things about us?

Exactly. And since every material thing gradually
disintegrates and perishes, so does the soul.

But, my dear sir, the soul is not material but a
spiritual substance.

1



2 Prove There’s A Soul

That’s your assumption. Of course, if you believe
that discredited notion you are welcome to believe
whatever you wish about the soul, but please don’t
try to make others agree with you.

Now, I know you to be a sensible person, and may I
ask you to consider this matter reasonably? I am
sure that if you are open to conviction, I can show
you that the soul is a spiritual substance, that is, that
it is not material, and hence will not perish as every-

thing material must perish.

I don’t think you can convince me, but if you want
to, you may go ahead; but I tell you beforehand
that you’re wasting your time and energy.

Well, as a starter, let me state what is meant by a
spiritual substance. Now, please, give me close atten-
tion, for on the right understanding of a spiritual

substance depends this entire question.

I’m at your service, shoot.

A spiritual substance is something which although
very real is not perceptible by the senses. The exist-
ence of some things are known not by their appear-
ance but by their effects. For instance, take the

power of a live rail. A person looking at a live rail
would perceive no difference in it from a dead rail,

yet the live rail is charged with something so power-

ful that it can move a heavy train and heat and light
it. The electricity with which the live rail is charged
is not perceptible by the senses, yet it is something

real, as you will learn if you come in contact with it.

If I come in contact with it! Does that not show



That Will Live Forever 3

that it is by the senses that I know it, namely, by
the sense of touch ?

By contact you learn one of the effects of electricity
but not what it is in itself. Not even Edison knew
what electricity is, except that it is something' power-
ful under certain conditions.

Do you infer, therefore, that electricity, because
not perceptible by the senses, is a spiritual sub-

stance ?

Not at all. I am proceeding gradually, and use the
example of the live wire only to show that we know
certain things not in themselves but by their effects.

Well, I’ll grant you that point, proceed.

The effects of the live wire are such as can be pro-
duced by material power, so although we cannot
perceive that power by our senses we know from its
effect that it is material and not spiritual.

Would you mind making that a little clearer.
What do you mean by saying its effects are such
as can be produced by material power?

That’s a very good question, and its answer is the

key to this entire subject. Effects follow the nature

of their cause. Material effects come from a material
cause, and since the effects of the live rail are

material, namely, light, heat and transportation, etc.,
we conclude that the power which produces them is
material.

Can you give me an example of an effect which
could come only from a spiritual cause?



4 Prove There's A Soul

Yes, for instance, when a person invents something.
Have you ever reflected that no animal has ever
invented anything?

How does invention prove a spiritual cause? I
don’t see the connection.

The connection is that, before a person invents a
thing, he has an idea of what he is going to invent
and proceeds to develop the idea. This idea is not a
material thing. It is, however, something real since

it inspires and directs the inventor to bring into

existence something which did not exist previously.

As I understand it, you mean that unless an in-
ventor first had an idea of something new he
could never produce it?

Precisely. Before Edison invented the electric lamp

he had an idea of the possibility of illumination by
electricity. Then he made hundreds of experiments
until eventually he gave to the world an absolutely

new creation, the electric lamp. Unless he had the
idea, and unless the idea was something real, though
not material, he never could have worked toward its
fulfilment.

Why do you say an idea is real, though not
material ?

Because everything material has size, weight, form,

etc. An idea has none of these things. For instance,
you have an idea of honor. You know what honor is,
that it is a real quality. But what size, or weight, or
color, or form, is honor? The idea of honor, there-
fore, is something real yet not material. The idea of



That Will Live Forever 5

honor is a notion which is obtained by the soul’s
power of abstraction and generalizing. For example,
we see people doing noble and generous things, and
note that there is a certain distinctive quality dis-

played in all such actions. This quality is not per-

ceptible by the senses because it is the result of
comparison, analysis and deduction, a process pos-
sible to a spiritual faculty only.

Your argument, therefore, is that since we may
know the nature of things by their effects we may
know that certain things are spiritual because
their effects are spiritual, and you specify ideas as
an example of such effects.

Exactly. For instance, since the intellect of man
generates and deals with ideas it is clear that the

intellect of man is spiritual.

Do you mind further specifying some of the ideas
which show that man’s intellect is a spiritual
substance?

Gladly. Man has such ideas as futurity, eternity,
liberty, justice, and others such. Now, although you
have an idea of futurity, the future does not exist.

With regards to justice you know what justice is,
but you have never perceived justice by your senses.

You have seen a just man or a just deed, but you
have never seen the quality we call justice. For
instance, what color is justice, what is its shape, how
much does it weigh and what are its dimensions?
Everything material is of definite size and weight.

But justice being an idea has none of these qualities.

Now, since man’s intellect, by its power of analysis



6 Prove There's A Soul

derives the idea of honor from the consideration of
how honorable people act, so it derives ideas of jus-
tice, courage and other immaterial notions in the
same way. This power of the intellect is known as
abstraction and is possible to a spiritual faculty only.
By the senses one can observe an honorable deed or
an honorable man, but no one has ever seen the idea
which we designate as honor, because it is im-
material and not perceptible by the senses, but only
by the spiritual faculty which we call the intellect.

You infer, therefore, that man’s intellect is a
spiritual substance; but, by the same reasoning,
would you not conclude that an animal also has a
spiritual intellect, for an animal also has ideas ?

The proof that animals have not ideas is evident
from the fact that no animal has ever originated
anything. Animals in every essential respect are the

same now as they were thousands of years ago.
They are not progressive like man, and the reason is
that progress comes by reason of ideas which per-

tain to a spiritual substance only. Animals are

limited to what their Senses perceive and hence are
incapable of idealizing, which is the basis of inven-

tion, progress and culture.

Therefore, you maintain that the soul of animals

is not spiritual because its activities are limited to

what can be reached by the senses, and that con-
sequently animals are incapable of reasoning. Do
I understand you to mean that?

Exactly that. I know, however, what’s in your mind.

You are thinking of the cleverness of animals, the



That Will Live Forever 7

devotion of animals, the marvelous ingenuity of

some animals. But have you ever known an animal
to do things differently from others of its species?
Have you ever known an animal to impart to
another animal what it has been taught to do by
man? To change a way of doing things, or to teach
things to others requires ideas, and since animals
are incapable of ideas, they do not change their

ways, nor can they teach others.

Do you mean to say that the art and skill shown
by a spider in making its web, or of the bee in
constructing its honeycomb are not rational
activities ?

Such activities are highly skilful, as you say, but
they are not rational because they are not the result

of the animal’s reason but of instinct, which is the

mind of their Maker guiding and directing them to
a definite purpose. In their own sphere animals are
ordinarily more clever than man. But they are just
as clever shortly after birth as in maturity, except

when influenced by the intelligence of man. Animal
intelligence, although not spiritual, is marvelously

adapted to the needs of the various species. But from
the beginning of time animals have acted and now
act precisely in the same way, if left to themselves.

I must say you have cleared up quite a lot of mis-
understanding I have had about the matter of
animal intelligence. But tell me what all this dis-
cussion about the spirituality of the soul has got

to do with the subject before us, namely, the im-

mortality of the soul ?



8 Prove There’s A Soul

It has everything to do with it, as you shall see
;
for

since the soul is a spiritual substance it is by its very
nature indestructible. Before we proceed, however,
with this point, let me present other evidence for the
spirituality of the soul, which is really the basis of its
immortality. The destruction of a thing, as we shall
see in detail later, comes about by its separation into
its constituent parts

;
but as a spiritual substance has

no parts, it cannot be separated, hence will never
perish. You see, therefore, the importance of realiz-
ing that the soul is spiritual, that it has no parts.

Yes, I see that everything depends on that, and I
am desirous of getting further proof that the soul
is not material.

The proof already given is entirely sufficient, but as
you may want to convince others, I offer another
proof of a very different kind to show that the soul
is spiritual, that is, that the soul is not material.

I’m greatly interested, go ahead.

The following proof is based on the nature of
matter, and is more readily understood than the
proof based on the power of the soul to originate

and deal with ideas. For people generally, this proof

is perhaps the most readily comprehended.

I’m glad to get a popular proof, because the proof

from the nature of ideas requires considerable

effort to follow.

The proof I now present, although more popular is,
nevertheless, just as logical and clinching as the

previous one based on the nature of ideas.



That Will Live Forever 9

Very well, proceed. I’m all ears.

The point to establish is that the soul is not material
but spiritual. The demonstration runs thus: The
soul can reflect perfectly on itself. Nothing material

can do that, and, therefore, the soul is not material

but spiritual.

What do you mean by reflecting on itself ?

Let me begin by saying that by the soul we mean
that attribute of man by which, among other things,
he reasons. Sometimes the soul is called the intellect

or will or mind. It is at times referred to as the

brain, as when we say that a person is a man of
brains, etc. In brief, the soul is that power or

attribute of man which signifies his personality, as
when he says I did this, I did that, etc. Now, to
answer your question of what is meant by the soul’s
power of reflecting on itself, I mean that it can
wholly turn back on its whole self. For instance, I
can reflect personally on myself, criticize myself,

approve or condemn myself and so on. Nothing
material can thus turn back or reflect on itself.

Can you make that point a little clearer ?

Perhaps an example will help. For instance, the tip
of your little finger can touch various parts of your

body, but it cannot touch itself. That is the meaning
of something reflecting perfectly on itself. But I
can reflect perfectly on myself. By my intellect, I
can examine my intellectual processes, my very
thoughts. I can subject myself to my own analysis.
Nothing that has parts can thus entirely go back or



10 Prove There's A Soul

reflect on itself, because if contact is made, it is some
one part touching another, but not the whole reflect-
ing on the whole, as man can wholly reflect on himself.

Say, that’s interesting.

It’s more than interesting. It’s proof positive that
the soul has no parts, that is, that the soul is not
material.

I must say that you have convinced me on that
point, but what has it got to do with the immor-
tality of the soul ?

Well, as I said previously, the destruction of a thing

comes about by disintegration, that is, by the separa-
tion of a thing into the various elements which
constitute it.

Would you mind clarifying that a little?

Let’s take a piece of wood, for instance. How do you
destroy the wood? Not by cutting or whittling it, for
it remains wood down to the tiniest particle. A
shaving is wood as well as a great log. The only way
you can destroy wood is by separating its various
elements. This may be done by chemicals or fire. By
burning the wood, its various elements are sepa-

rated, some going off in heat, some in light, some in

smoke, some in various gasses, and the residue is

ashes. The result is that what formerly was wood is
now ashes. The wood has ceased to exist. Now, since
the soul has no parts it cannot be disintegrated.

Hence, we must conclude that by its nature the soul
is indestructible, and that, therefore, it is immortal.



That Will Live Forever 11

I must admit that I have no comeback to that
reasoning. On reflection it seems to me that most
people, and I have been one of them, form
opinions on specious or superficial grounds. They
follow someone’s lead and in doing so imagine
they are thinking for themselves, whereas they

are only echoing the thoughts of others.

That is particularly true of those who indulge in
wishful thinking. Now, to proceed with further
proofs for the immortality of the soul. For, while

the spirituality of the soul is the principal reason for

its immortality, there are other cogent and sup-
plementary reasons for the existence of the soul in

a life beyond this mortal span of years.

Before stating these reasons let me call your atten-
tion to the tremendous importance of the subject.

I am desirous of knowing everything that per-
tains to the immortality of the soul, for it is a

subject that often comes up when men get into
serious conversation.

The immortality of the soul has a greater bearing
on life than almost any other matter. If man’s goal

is the grave, Christianity is the greatest im-

posture the world has known. It also follows that

the Founder of Christianity was either a liar or a
lunatic. The very basis not only of Christianity, but
of every religion, is that there is a life beyond the

grave. It makes a vast difference to man whether he
is made for time or eternity. If man is made for this
life only, his code of conduct will be that of the



12 Prove There’s A Soul

jungle, where force and cunning prevail. If man is
made for this life only, he is nothing but a high-
grade animal, and will act accordingly, as we see so
many now doing who deny life hereafter. If man’s
life terminates here, he is justified in doing whatever

is to his pleasure or advantage, regardless of every-

thing except the present consequences of his acts.

Natural morality is a myth unless it has a sanction,
and that sanction vanishes with the denial of im-
mortality. There is only one Commandment for
those who do not believe in the immortality of the
soul : to avoid the present penalty of wrongdoing.

Let me disagree with you here. I know people who
do not believe in the immortality of the soul yet

live upright lives.

The reason for it, in such cases, is that either they
do not act consistently with their belief, or because

the prevalent code of morality is Christian and they

conform to it from custom.

What do you mean by the present code of morality
being Christian?

I mean that for hundreds of generations Christian
morality has influenced mankind to such an extent

that, even those who are not Christian almost natur-
ally conform to it. It is impossible to live in certain

surroundings without being more or less affected by

them. It follows that some people may deny the im-
mortality of the soul, yet, externally, live as if they

did believe. It’s hard to escape altogether from one’s

environment.



That Will Live Forever 13

I see. Just as bad surroundings tend to bring

people to a low level of conduct, so good surround-

ings influence them for a high standard. I admit

that Christian civilization accounts for upright

lives even by those who deny immortality.
But, tell me, please, what you mean by saying

that some persons who do not believe in the im-
mortality of the soul, nevertheless lead good lives

because they do not act consistently with their

belief?

By this is meant that if a person consistently acted
in accordance with the belief that there was no life
beyond the grave, he would live to suit his own
pleasure and advantage, regardless of the rights of

others.

But is there not such a thing as natural law and
natural goodness ?

Natural law is founded on justice, and justice de-

pends on either natural or Divine power to uphold
it. If a man denies the immortality of the soul, he
would, if consistent, deny Divine sanction and have
regard to human sanction only, which means that
if he were consistent he would have regard to one
thing only, that is, not to be detected and punished.
But Divine sanction is so firmly implanted in man
that despite false theories of life he cannot

altogether ignore it. And so it is that you find
people who despite belief in error, nevertheless, live
better than their belief.

That certainly explains a lot of problems I have



14 Prove There’s A Soul

had about religion. I am beginning to see that the
only doctrine of life which really explains man
and life is that which is based on the immortality

of the soul.

And you should also see why it is that one of the
reasons why those who wish to be a law to them-
selves, desire to accept as true whatever theory will

give them full license to do as they please.

You must admit, however, that there are persons
who in good faith deny the immortality of the
soul?

Only God knows the conscience of man, and only
God may pass judgment On man. Owing to circum-
stances a person may be an honest adherent of an
erroneous doctrine. But that furnishes no argument
for embracing error.

I am pleased to see that you always take a con-
siderate view of those who differ from you. You
make allowance when possible for opponents.

They are not my opponents but the opponents of
truth, and the upholder of truth should also realize

that the great law of life is charity, not only of deed

but also of judgment. So, whenever possible, the de-

fender of truth should be most considerate of the

person in error but never of error itself.

I am firmly convinced that the only way to lead
those in error to see the truth is by making every
allowance for their background, as you have done

in my case. May I ask you now, to proceed with



That Will Live Forever 15

the other reasons you were to give as supplemen-

tary proof for the immortality of the soul ?

Let us begin with the proof from justice. It may be
stated briefly as follows : In this life the just often

suffer and the unjust often prosper. Unless there is

a life beyond the grave, the Creator and Ruler of

mankind would be a rewarder of those who defy
Him and a chastiser of those who serve Him. Hence
unless we are willing to believe that the Creator and
Ruler of the world is unjust, we must believe in a
future life wherein He will render to everyone
according to his deeds.

May I venture the remark that in this argument
you take for granted that there is a personal
Creator and Ruler of the world and that He is
necessarily just.

If a person makes this objection, it is only necessary
to refer him to the proof for the existence of a
personal God Who is infinitely perfect, hence in-
finitely just.*

Another remark, please. Why do you say that a
person who is unjust defies the Creator?

For this reason: Conscience is God’s law made
known to man. An unjust person is a violator of
conscience, hence of God’s law; hence he defies his

Creator and Ruler.

Yes, I see the force of your argument in the case
of those who deliberately do what they know to be

^Confer: Have You a Godf The Scott Series of Pamphlets, No. I.



16 Prove There’s A Soul

wrong-
,
but sometimes a person is unjust without

realizing it.

In that case, he does not concern us. We consider
only the fact that there is much deliberate and
planned injustice among mankind, and that such
unjust persons frequently gain honors, wealth and
reputation, while their victims suffer the loss of

fortune, honor and even life itself. If there is no

future life we must conclude that the Maker and
Ruler of mankind is not only indifferent to justice
but actually favors injustice.

That proof seems conclusive, and perhaps to some
people it would appeal more than the learned
reasons based on the spirituality of the soul.

The reason for its strong appeal is that it intimately
affects the average person. A normal man must con-
clude that God is a monster of cruelty unless there
is a life beyond in which the dreadful injustices of
this life are rectified. Nearly everyone has at some
time or other been the victim or witness of injustice

and must conclude that a Being Who gave us our
sense of justice will not Himself put a premium on
injustice. It is the highest exercise of reason to con-

clude that the Maker and Ruler of the universe is
at least as solicitous for justice as the most just

human ruler that ever lived.
It follows that the Supreme Ruler of mankind will

not tolerate that the sense of injustice with which

He endowed human nature should be defied with
impunity. Man has only the brief period of mortal
life to rectify wrongs, but God has eternity to justify



That Will Live Forever 17

His ways. Justice, accordingly, postulates a life

beyond this present mortal span. That this future
life will be everlasting will now be shown by the
nature of the instinct for perfect happiness which

is inherent in every human being.

Do I understand that the proof from justice
postulates a future life only, but not necessarily

an unending life ?

Strictly speaking, yes. You see, the injustices of life
may be rectified—even if rectification does not de-
mand everlasting life. We know, however, from the
nature of the soul that this life will be forever since,

as we have shown, a spiritual substance is immortal.

You have just stated that a proof for the im-
mortality of the soul is furnished by the instinct
for perfect happiness which is inbred in human
nature. May I ask you to explain that statement ?

With pleasure. The proof runs thus: Man has an
instinct, that is, a natural craving, for perfect hap-

piness. Instinct comes from the Author of nature,
and must have an object whose attainment will

satisfy it. But perfect happiness is not attainable in
mortal life; hence there must be an immortal life

wherein this instinct will find its attainment.

That proof, it seems to me, takes a lot for granted.
For instance, it states that man has an instinct for
perfect happiness, and that perfect happiness is

not attainable in this life and, finally, that it is

attainable only by immortal life.



18 Prove There's A Soul

I expected you to question those statements. In fact
if you had not done so I should not consider you the
intelligent man I know you to be.

Well, let’s hear what you have to say on each.

We shall take them in order. That man has an
instinct or natural craving for perfect happiness is

evident from the fact that no matter what he has of
pleasure or possession there is always something

more that he desires. Desires when fulfilled open the
way to further desires. Pleasure after brief enjoy-
ment creates an inclination for further pleasure.
The result is that man’s heart is never at rest, no
matter how much it has satisfied its longings. Now,
as we know, every natural appetite has an object to
satisfy it. Hunger has food, thirst has water, fatigue
has sleep, etc., etc. But the craving for perfect hap-
piness is never satisfied here, so there must be
another life in which it is satisfied, for a wise Maker
makes nothing in vain, that is, without a purpose.

I grant what you say about perfect happiness not
being attainable in this life, and man’s craving
for perfect happiness; but why do you maintain
that immortality is necessary for perfect hap-

piness ? Could not man be perfectly happy without
life being everlasting?

No. For suppose a man had everything he could
possibly desire of happiness and possessions, yet

knew that at any moment it all might end. This un-
certainty would be a constant dread and would mar
the happiness, thus preventing it from being perfect.

Perpetuity of happiness is essential to its being



That Will Live Forever 19

perfect, and there can be no perpetuity without im-
mortality. If it were possible for the soul to cease to
be, this possibility would rob perfect happiness of
its most essential quality.

Yes, on reflection, I see that what you say is so.
In this mortal life the thing that people most
desire is permanence, whether it be of health or

wealth or any other good thing. And when perma-
nence is threatened peace vanishes.

Permanence is so essential to happiness even in

this life that, in order to secure it, as far as is

humanly possible, people insure their property and
other things against the uncertainty which always

threatens everything mortal. Immortality gives to

happiness a certainty of permanence without which

no happiness can perfectly satisfy the human heart.
Saint Augustine has beautifully expressed this idea

in words which are worthy of immortal fame: “O
God, Thou hast made our heart for Thyself and it
will never be at rest until it rests in Thee.” The
meaning of this expression is, of course, that
nothing mortal can satisfy the immortal spirit.

I quite agree with you. I have known people who
seemed to have everything that this world could

give, and yet were so dissatisfied with their life

that they voluntarily destroyed it.

That confirms the Scripture saying: “We have not
here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come”
(Hebrews xiii, 14). And with that thought im-



20 Prove There's A Soul

pressed on our mind let us pass to another and our
last proof for the immortality of the soul, namely,

the universal belief of mankind.

In order that you may understand the force of this
argument it is necessary to refresh your mind with
the axiom that whatever pertains to man every-
where and at all times is part of his nature and,
therefore, owes its origin to the Author of nature.
Hence, if mankind has at all times and places
believed in the immortality of the soul, we may know
for certain that such a belief has its origin in the

Creator of man and is consequently true. Unless
people believed in the immortality of the soul they

would not be concerned about the fate of man after
death. If death ended all that there was of man, the
grave would be the end of him altogether. But from
time immemorial, and among people no matter where
situated, sacred rites for the welfare of the dead have

been performed. No matter how cultured or ignorant
people have been, there is no record of any nation or

tribe that has not held religious worship for the

spirit of the departed mortal.

I think you mentioned something of the same kind

with regard to belief in God.*

Yes, and you then questioned the universality of

such belief, and it was shown to you that despite

some statements to the contrary it is now established
for certain that universality of belief in God and

^Confer: Have You a God? The Scott Series of Pamphlets, No. I.



That Will Live Forever 21

universality of religious rites for the dead are facts

beyond dispute.

I no longer have any doubts with regard to either

of these matters, for I realize that although some
individuals question them, such persons are the

exception which proves the rule.

Religious rites for the dead being a universal prac-

tice among mankind, necessarily originated in
human nature, and have for their authority the
Author of human nature. Who is Truth itself.

But how does worship which concerns the dead
prove the immortality of the soul?

It proves that the spirit or soul of man did not perish
with his mortal body, and that unlike the body it is

not mortal but immortal, for when separated from
the body it has no elements of distintegration.

Well nowr
,
of the various proofs you have given,

which do you consider the best?

It depends on the person to whom you are address-
ing your argument. One proof convinces one person,
another proof convinces another person. I should

think, however, that the proof which would best
convince critical and keen minds is the one based on
the nature of a spiritual substance, which being im-
material has no possibility of perishing, since it has

no parts and hence is incapable of separation and
destruction. Besides, this proof is a direct challenge

to one who denies that the soul is spiritual, because
in arguing against its spirituality he uses ideas, and



22 Prove There's A Soul

ideas are the proof that the soul is spiritual, and con-
sequently immortal.

I agree with you that is the best proof, but I shall
be able to use the others to very good advantage.

Of course, for Christians none of these proofs are
necessary since they have a stronger reason for

believing in immortality than the sublimest human
reason can present.

The Divine Founder of Christianity has pro-
claimed the immortality of the soul to be a fact. He,

the Creator, certainly knows the nature of His own
creation. He has, moreover, declared the great worth
of the soul, affirming that it out-values the whole

material world. The world and its substance will
eventually pass away, but the soul will last as long

as God. The greatest proof for the value of the soul
is that the Son of God gave His life for its salvation.
Man’s life on earth is brief. It is a period of pro-

bation during which he has the opportunity of

becoming a partaker of the Divine nature. Provided

that end is attained everything else matters very

little. As Christ Himself said : “What shall it profit
a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the

loss of his soul? Or what shall a man give in ex-
change for his soul?” ( Mark , viii, 36)

Those are very significant and solemn words.

They make an added impression on my mind now
that I realize more than ever the sublime nature

and destiny of the human soul.



That Will Live Forever 23

Let me conclude the subject by a reflection which
occurred to me some years ago when I beheld a
mountain whose top was covered by perpetual snow.
That snow, whence did it come ? It seems strange to

say that it came from the ocean, yet that was its
origin. The sun’s rays heated the surface of the
ocean causing it to rise as vapor to the upper regions

of the air. There it gradually condensed, forming a

cloud. Thence it was wafted toward the land. Gradu-
ally in the cold upper atmosphere it got heavier and

heavier until it condensed into water and descended

as drops through the cold higher air. Passing

through this cold region the drops became crystal-

ized into flakes and as snow rested on the mountain

top. There it remained for a short period. Gradually

its weight and the sun’s rays lower down the moun-
tain caused it to liquify underneath and as trickles

of water to flow down the mountain side, first as a
tiny stream, then as it gathered volume from other

streams as a rivulet, later as a torrent, and finally, as

on its way it received added volume, as a mighty
river emptying into the ocean whence it came.

Man’s life is like that snow which for a brief
period rested on the mountain top. Man comes from
God as his origin, dwells for a short space of time
as a mortal, and again returns to God whence he
originated. The years of life are brief but on these
few years depend the endless ages of eternity.
The Maker of man endowed him with free will,

which if he uses right will enable him to share the
very life and bliss of his Maker. “As many as re-
ceived him, he gave them power to be made the sons
of God” (John i, 12). That is the end of man if he



24 Prove There’s A Soul

does his part. For in the words of Saint Augustine

:

“God Who made us without our cooperation will not
save us without our cooperation.”

The soul is a precious jewel, to guard which no
effort is too strenuous, no sacrifice too great.

I see that you do not rest content with knowledge
of the soul but endeavor to make the knowledge
practical.

Yes. For it matters little if we know what the soul
is but neglect to act on the knowledge. The nature
of man’s soul proclaims his eternal destiny, and the
wisdom of man’s intellect proclaims that eternal wel-
fare is his greatest concern.

In proportion as mankind generally realizes the
nature and importance of the soul will this be a
better place to live in. The fact that man has an
immortal soul not only gives him a dignity which
makes him the masterpiece of visible creation, but
also furnishes him with a motive for living in a
manner worthy of his sublime dignity.
The immortality of the soul is not only a pledge

of perpetual existence but is, moreover, a reality

which if kept in mind will most surely make that
existence an eternity of perfect happiness.

The next pamphlet in this series
deals with the Gospels :

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Were They Fooled? Did They Lie?



FATHER SCOTT’S BOOKS
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AMERICA
A CATHOLIC REVIEW OF THE WEEK

AMERICA “slow-motions” for the mind’s eye of think-
ing men and women the parade of events that speeds
past us daily. It now has its camera focused on the

coming events:

The Situation in Europe

National Defense

The Labor Struggle

Subversive Movements

Efforts for Peace

Thinking men and women depend on AMERICA to
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view them in their proper perspective. How about You?

Make this ye^ar AMERICA year!

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