are exercised (provided there be no excess), the more does their strength increase. There is no exception to this law. And since it is a law of mind, it must exist wherever finite minds exist,—for bodily death works no change in the laws of our mental constitution. The mind is the man—the real person in human form. This is immortal, and its laws are unalterable. Whatever laws, therefore, are known to govern the mind or spirit when clothed with flesh, will surely govern it in the great Hereafter.
Now, the angels being all images and likenesses of the Lord, must reflect in some measure the light of his wisdom and the warmth of his love. They love others better than themselves; therefore it is their delight to communicate of their love and wisdom to others. Such being their character, their highest and noblest faculties are being brought into constant exercise. Their love of wisdom impels them to the fullest exertion of their intellectual faculties, and their love of each other finds its appropriate exercise in continued deeds of kindness and of use. And if the powers of the intellect and the dispositions of the heart are strengthened and improved by exercise, what then should result from the constant exercise of these powers and dispositions in heaven? What, but continual growth, expansion, improvement?—continual increase of heavenly riches?—continual progress toward perfection?
And this doctrine has also the support of holy Scripture. Thus in the parable of the talents, it is said that those servants who used (traded with) their talents, did thereby increase them—gained besides them two and five
