corruption will be permitted to shroud its vision, or dim the glow of affection's golden chain whose indissoluble links bind mortality to immortality. It will know and feel only the power of that love which is stronger than death, broader and deeper than the perversities of human nature, and capable of diffusing its own immeasurable greatness over the remembrance of the errors of this life.
Beyond the objects of our outward sense, stronger than any tie of earthly recognition, deeper than any other emotion of the soul, stretches this invisible bond, invisible because immortal, and immortal because divine. The object of love may be taken from us, but the power of loving is increased thereby. That which was only lent is withdrawn that we may know how much more precious is that which has become a part of us—the emotion incorporated into the spiritual nature, which is ours through eternity.
"God gives us love. Something to love
He lends us: but when love is grown
To ripeness, that on which it throve
Falls off, and love is left alone."
It may be owing to the intimate connection between body and spirit that the latter leaves such a serene and happy expression as that presented by the death smile, in the same manner as the emotions in life are reflected through the countenance.
To Walter this had an intense charm. "Look Rosa," said he, "he is trying to tell us how happy he is." He felt a sacred presence pervading the house, uniting heaven and earth, as it were, in the holy communion that attends the departing soul. To his hopeful, trusting nature, sorrow was a stranger.
