Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/161

 which bring ten thousand blessings even in the present life, and which in eternity will be the source of inexhaustible and of the purest and most perfect joys.

When we look around us into the world of nature, we are struck with amazement at the conduct of thousands who by their actions seem to proclaim that the present world with them is never to end, and the next is never to begin. The carnally minded man, who hardly possesses a thought beyond the gratification of his senses, is really to be pitied. The whole world is like a dream to him! all his pleasures are like so many phantoms dancing around his disordered understanding! No sooner is one sense gratified than he is in search of another—a second comes, passes off, and a third is desired—this comes and is as quickly gone; and thus in succession the phantoms come and go, without yielding to him any real or solid bliss! Eager in the pursuit of perishable treasures, he dreams of things impossible!

Thus, in the pursuit of phantoms, the morning, mid-day, and evening of life have been spent in a dream! Night comes on apace to proclaim the folly, and to close the scene! The death-bell tolls!

Believe this, reader, as a truth; it is the fruit of experience! that the pleasures of this life are only truly enjoyed when our best affections are placed upon the future.