Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/293



I. Imagination  would  torture  itself  in  vain  to  conceive the glory,  the  beauty,  and  the  happiness  of  heaven. " O Israel,"  exclaimed  an  enraptured  prophet,  "O  Israel,  how great  is  the  house  of  God,  and  how  vast  is  the  place  of His  possession!" (Baruch iii.  24.)  This  is  that  city  which St. John describes  in  his  Apocalypse. Its gates  are  pearl, it is  surrounded  by  walls  of  jasper,  and  its  foundations are of  the  most  precious  stones. The city  itself  and  the streets are  of  pure  gold:  "The  city  needeth  not  the  sun nor  the  moon  to  shine  in  it,  for  the  Lamb  is  the  lamp thereof." (Apoc. xxi.  18.)  Cry  out  with  the  Psalmist, 44 How  lovely  are  Thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  my soul  longeth  and  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord." (Ps.  lviii.  2.)

II. The company  which  the  blessed  will  enjoy  will  be a  great  source  of  happiness. " There  will  be"  there,  "  a great  multitude  which  no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations, and  tribes,  and  people,  and  tongues." (Apoc. vii.  9.) There will  be  an  immense  number,  without  any  dissension; distinction  of  degrees  without  envy;  free  communication without  confusion. There we  shall  enjoy  our friends in  perfection. If it  be  pleasure  in  this  life  to converse  with  learned,  amiable,  and  affectionate  companions, how  much  greater  will  be  the  satisfaction  to associate  with  angelic  spirits,  endowed  with  every  kind of science  and  virtue,  and  to  live  forever  in  the  company of patriarchs  and  prophets,  of  apostles,  martyrs,  confessors, and  virgins,  and  all  the  other  saints  of  heaven?

III. How vile  and  contemptible  every  earthly  object