The employments of heaven exceed those of this world in number and variety as much as the denizens of heaven outnumber those of earth. The nature of some of them may be inferred from what is said of the various administrations there; and some are specifically mentioned.
"There are societies whose employments consist in taking care of infants; there are other societies whose employments are to instruct and educate them as they grow up; others who in like manner instruct and educate boys and girls who are of a good disposition from education in the world, and who thence come into heaven; others who teach the simple good from the Christian world, and lead them in the way to heaven; others who perform the same office for the various Gentile nations; others who defend novitiate spirits,—those who have recently come from the world,—from infestations by evil spirits; some who are attendant on those in the lower earth; some who are present with those in hell, and restrain them from tormenting each other beyond the prescribed limits; and some who attend upon those who are being raised from the dead.
"In general, angels of every society are sent to men, that they may guard them, and withdraw them from evil affections and consequent evil thoughts, and inspire them with good affections so far as they receive them freely. By means of these affections also they rule the deeds or works of men, removing from them evil intentions as far as possible. . . . But all these employments