f and intensify its peculiarities are
invariable throughout the universe, these unhappy souls and ourselves
seem destined to diverge more and more as time goes on; and while we
constantly become happier as our capacity for happiness increases,
their sharpening senses will give them a worse and worse idea of each
other, till their mutual repugnance will know no bounds, and of
everything concerning which they obtain knowledge through their senses.
Thus these poor creatures seem to be the victims of circumstances and
the unalterable laws of fate, and were there such a thing as death,
their misery would unquestionably finally break their hearts. That
there will be final forgiveness for the condemned, has long been a
human hope; but as yet they have experienced none, and there is no
analogy for it in Nature.

"But while you have still your earthly bodies and the opportunities
they give you of serving God, you need not be concerned about hell; no
one on earth, knowing how things really are, would ever again forsake
His ways. The earthly state is the most precious opportunity of
securing that for which a man would give his all. Even from the most
worldly point of view, a man is an unspeakable fool not to improve his
talents and do good. What would those in sheol not give now for but
one day in the flesh on earth, of which you unappreciatives may still
have so many? The well-used opportunities of even one hour might bring
joy to those in paradise forever, and greatly ease the lot of those in
hell. In doing acts of philanthropy, however, you must remember the
text of the sermon the doctor of divinity preached to Craniner and
Ridley just before they perished at the stake: 'Though I give my body
to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing'--which
shows that even good deeds must be performed in the proper spirit.

"A new era is soon to dawn on earth. Notwithstanding your great
material progress, the future will exceed all the past. Man will find
every substance's maximum use, thereby vastly increasing his comfort.
Then, when advanced in science and reason, with the power of his senses
increased by the delicate instruments that you, as the forerunners of
the coming man, are already learning to make, may he cease to be a
groveller, like our progenitors the quadrupeds, and may his thoughts
rise to his Creator, who has brought him to such heights through all
the intricacies of the way. Your preparation for th