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124 Eternity! It is the thought that this happy state is to continue—doubtless with constant additions and perfectings—on, on, for ever. How grand a thought is this,—if we can but expand our minds to grasp it! In this material world, not only are we liable to painful partings, but there is ever before us the certain prospect of death. And though to the good man this is not a sad prospect, except from the thought of temporary separation from those he loves and may leave behind—for he knows that death is but a continuation of life,—yet this prospect necessarily tends to curtail his plans of operation, and in a greater or less degree influences all his thoughts, feelings, and actions. Old age, too, with its weakness, is before him, and often in the midst of his activities creeps upon him, and, before he is aware, palsies the arm or the intellect. These are defects inherent in the very nature of matter, and therefore are of necessity attached to a material state of existence. While the lofty and immortal spirit remains connected with the material part, it suffers from the comparative heaviness, dullness, and weakness of its inferior companion. But when it is released by the friendly hand of death, and shakes off its clay covering and burthen,—how it plumes itself afresh, and mounts and soars, as into its native heaven. As the pretty butterfly, bursting from its dull chrysalis state, rises into summer sunshine, and wings its way from flower to flower, rejoicing in its new life,—so must the freed spirit rejoice in the warmth and light and glory of its new existence. No more death, nor disease, nor weakness, is before it or possible to it. Being of a purer nature and substance, more perfect, nearer to the Divine—it is superior to those imperfections of matter.