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OF THE LIFE ETERNAL.
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that material universe, as the generations that have existed in all time exceed in numbers that existing at any one time. In like manner, if in contemplating the intellectual power of a Newton, and the benevolence of a Howard, we saw manifest proofs of the profundity of the Wisdom, and the abundance of the Goodness, of the Being who made them both, and who gave them all their intellect and feeling,—how much stronger is the light of testimony that beams from the beatified spirits of Newton and Howard, and from their countenances shining with the light and love of heaven, as we can now behold them in thought, existing in the eternal world! Lastly, if from the happiness of man as he is in this life,—the sportive innocence of infancy, the merriment of boyhood, the delightful hopes and happy loves of youth, the domestic and social pleasures and the exciting activities of manhood, and the peace of old age,—if from all these joys, we could draw arguments to prove the love of our good Creator and Heavenly Father who provided them all,—what conclusion is to be drawn from the immensely increased and exalted happiness which the good man enjoys, when, having passed the gate of death, he enters on his eternal inheritance? What but the purest and intensest love, in the Divine Mind, could have inspired the idea (if we may use such an expression) of forming a grand and beautiful dwelling-place above, into which, having passed through a necessary preparatory stage of existence, might at length be gathered His intelligent creatures, to be blessed with the most exalted joy and happiness, close to Himself, for ever? Can anything that man can do, be said to merit any such eternal blessing? Is it not a mere gift derived from the