Page:The Last Judgement and Second Coming of the Lord Illustrated.djvu/196

 believes that it exists as a habitation for the good of the human race. As God began the creation of such good among men and laid down laws for their enjoyment of it, who can reasonably think of its termination? Such an idea would be limiting the activity of infinite love. But the Divine Word, which contains the law for the cultivation of this good, is not to pass away; and, therefore, it is evident that the people for whose use it is designed must remain.

Every one who will carefully consider that heaven is the residence of the Infinite, must at once see that its immensity is such that it cannot be filled to eternity. Who can think of it as a place of limited dimensions? Who can believe that its doors must be closed, and the human race be discontinued, either for the want of love, or the want of room" But if there be both room and love, doubtless the Divine Being will provide inhabitants on whom to bestow them. The room in heaven, however, is like that of the human mind, the more that enters into it the more extensive it becomes. Hence it never can be filled, because the good by which men obtain admission is infinite in its origin and unbounded in its operations, and therefore the creation of subjects for its reception can never cease.

Besides, the perfection and happiness of that kingdom are promoted by numerical increase. A human mind, which is principled in goodness, retains that goodness when its possessor enters into heaven: it is not only the means for procuring access, but it is necessary for maintaining in that kingdom a permanent abode. Every one who enters carries with him some specific form of goodness; this constitutes his individuality, and, therefore, it is a form of good, and consequently a means for happiness which did not before exist. "One star differeth from another star in glory," and every one contributes something by which to increase the general