. The Life of the Blessed in Heaven

X. Pleasures of the Glorified Senses

XI. Social Joys of Heaven

XII. Will the Knowledge that some of our own are lost, mar our
happiness in Heaven?

XIII. The Light of Glory

XIV. Degrees of Happiness in Heaven

XV. Degrees of Enjoyment through the Glorified Senses

XVI. The Glory of Jesus and Mary

XVII. The Glory of the Martyrs

XVIII. The Glory of the Doctors and Confessors

XIX. The Glory of Virgins and Religious

XX. The Glory of Penitents and Pious People

XXI. The Eternity of Heaven's Happiness

THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN.

CHAPTER 1.

THE BEATIFIC VISION.

Reason, revelation, and the experience of six thousand years unite
their voices in proclaiming that perfect happiness cannot be found in
this world. It certainly cannot be found in creatures; for they were
not clothed with the power to give it. It cannot be found even in the
practice of virtue; for God has, in His wisdom, decreed that virtue
should merit, but never enjoy perfect happiness in this world. He has
solemnly pledged himself to give "eternal life" to all who love and
serve him here on earth. He has promised a happiness so unspeakably
great, that the Apostle, who "was caught up into paradise," and was
favored with a glimpse thereof, tells us that mortal "eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man,
what things God hath prepared for them that love him."*

* 1 Cor. xi. 9.

This happiness--which is now so incomprehensible to us--is none other
than the possession and enjoyment of God himself in the Beatific
Vision, as well as the perfect satisfaction of every rational craving
of our nature in the glorious resurrection of the body. It is on this
glorious happiness we are going to meditate; and first, we shall
endeavor to obtain a definite idea of the Beatific Vision, which is
the essential constituent of heavenly bliss.

In meditating upon the happiness in store for the children of God, we
are very apt to build up a heaven of our own, which naturally takes
the shape and color which our sorrows, needs, and sufferings lend
thereto. The poor man, for instance, who has suffered mutely from
toil and want, looks upon heaven as a place of rest, abounding with
all that can satisfy the cravings of nature. Another, who has often
endured the pangs of disease, looks upon it as a place where he shall
enjoy perpetu