at,
eternal God, in the eternity of His duration, in the abysses of his
unsearchable judgments, in the sweetness of his goodness, in the
tenderness of his mercies, in the spotlessness of his sanctity, in
the severity of his justice, in the might of his irresistible power,
in the charms of his captivating beauty, and in the splendor of his
majesty and glory. In a word, we shall no longer see God as He is
rejected in the mirror of creation, but as he is in himself.

This is the vision which no mortal has seen, or can see in this
world. This is the vision which pours torrents of knowledge into our
souls, and fills them to overflowing. No more searching of books; no
more wasting away of health and strength in the pursuit of knowledge;
no more going to learned men, as the beggar goes to the rich for
bread. No more perplexing and torturing doubts that perhaps we have
not the truth. The light of glory has opened our eyes, and we see all
truth as it is, and become like God in knowledge, because we see him
as He is.

But this is not yet all. The glorification of our intellect will not
only enable us to see God as He is: it will also unveil us to
ourselves, and make us see ourselves as we are.

In our present state of existence, we are a mystery to ourselves. In
spite of the numberless learned works written on the mind, and the
laws by which it operates, our knowledge of it is still very limited.
We see the human soul only as reflected in a mirror, that is, in her
outward manifestations. Thus, when we read a magnificent poem, or
when we gaze upon a noble ship ploughing the waters of the deep, or
riding safely through a fearful storm; or when we look upon grand
churches, palaces, and works of art--all these are as mirrors, which
reflect the greatness, wisdom, power, and ingenuity of the human
soul. Again, when we enter orphan asylums, or other institutions for
the unfortunate and destitute of every description, we may view them
as mirrors which reflect the moral goodness of the soul; but the soul
herself as she is, we cannot see. She is as invisible to us as God
himself.

In heaven, we shall know and see ourselves as we are. For, as St.
Paul tells us: "Then I shall know even as I am known." We shall then
see and know that beautiful, living image of the Eternal in her very
essence. We shall see her clothed with a surpassing beauty, adorned
with the gems of grace and good works, and shining in the presence of
God like a very s