Page:Heaven Revealed.djvu/272

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all learning to be good and wise; that there it will feel no pain, and know no sorrow, and experience no want; that there, enveloped in an atmosphere of sweetest love, it will be forever shielded from all baleful influences, and never know the polluting touch of sin; that everything which greets its senses there, will be full of instruction and delight; that its eye will behold none but beautiful objects, and its ear listen only to love's sweet notes.

And let that mother believe all this, as she surely will if she studies the revealings which it has pleased the Lord to make, and will she not derive support and comfort from it? Will she not find in it a balm for her wounded spirit? Will it not give her beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness? Will she not dry her tears, suppress her sighs, chide her murmurs, and with humble, cheerful trust look up, and say from the heart, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Nor is the instruction which this new revelation imparts, less important than the comfort it affords. Not only does it enable us to give up our little ones with more resigned and cheerful hearts at the call of the Heavenly Father, but it presses upon us the importance of governing and instructing them aright while they remain with us. It shows us that, if we would train our children for heaven, we must endeavor to become heavenly-minded ourselves. We must have our affections so fixed on heavenly things, that the love of heaven will shine out in our looks, tones, words and