you cannot even form a
conception of the countless ages it would require. The most gifted
mind is bewildered and lost in those millions and billions of ages.
It seems as if that little bird never would come to the last atom;
and to us, children of time, that vast duration seems like an
eternity. And yet, if such a revelation were made to the blessed,
they would again sorrow and mourn: the tears would again flow from
their eyes, because the canker-worm that eats away all earthly
happiness would have found entrance into heaven.

Evidently, then, the eternity of heaven is essential to complete the
happiness of God's children.

Among the many defects which mar our happiness in this world, there
are three capital ones, which we shall consider for a few moments.
The happiness of this world is not and cannot be permanent, because
we are changeable, because the objects of our happiness are also
subject to change, and finally, because death must eventually tear us
away from this world.

1. We ourselves are changeable by nature. This is a defect which must
cling to us as long as we remain pilgrims here below. The objects
which made us so happy in our childhood are no longer able to give us
any pleasure. Our growth to mature age has completely changed us in
their regard. Where is the man that could now spend the day with the
playthings of his childhood? Where is the woman that could spend her
time in dressing and adorning a doll? We are changed, and other
objects have become necessary. But, in our mature years, we still
continue to change, and those objects which make us happy to-day,
may, in a few days, be a source of annoyance to us, and even of
wretchedness. The changes of the weather, our passions, our health,
our associations, a want of success in our undertakings, an unkind
word or look--all these, and a thousand other things, influence us
and change our dispositions at times so completely, that nothing in
the whole world can make us feel happy. We are disgusted with
everything that only yesterday made us as happy as we could expect to
be in this world.

So great is our natural fickleness, that we are continually exposed
to change, even in regard to God, and thus lose the only happiness
worth possessing--His friendship. For, after having, in all
sincerity, promised and even sworn fidelity to Him, we may, at any
moment, give way to our passions, and, like Peter, deny Him; or, like
Judas, sell Him for a temporary gratifi