ment. It is a doctrine which we cannot help wishing, at least, might be true. It chimes in with every one's fondest hopes and noblest aspirations. Our highest conception of heaven demands for its full realization, that it should be a state of never-ending progress in knowledge, wisdom and love. And as soon as we begin to look at the subject from a rational point of view, the reasons multiply for believing that what is here announced, and is in such complete accord with the highest hopes of all enlightened minds, must indeed be true.
For, what reasonable objection can be urged against the doctrine? What is to hinder eternal progress in the realms above? There surely is ample room for it. There is only One Infinite and absolutely perfect Being. Compared with Him, what are the highest angels in respect to love and wisdom? Less than the fire-fly's tiny spark compared with the sun's majestic blaze. The angels themselves perceive and acknowledge that all the love and wisdom they possess is momentarily received from the Lord; and without such perception and acknowledgment, they would not be in heaven—would not be angels.
There is, then, spiritually speaking, an infinite distance between the Lord and the angels. And the latter may, therefore, go on advancing forever toward the Divine perfections, yet never reach them—never become absolutely perfect. And as every increase in love and wisdom is accompanied by a corresponding increase of happiness, therefore the happiness of the denizens of heaven (assuming that the doctrine here announced is true), will continue to increase throughout the endless ages.
