Should the worshipper of mammon, on perusing these pages, pause in his headlong course, to think of "treasures which neither the moth nor rust consumes;" should the votary of pleasure be induced to sigh after the joys that pass not away; should the poor and the afflicted of every description, cast a lingering, longing glance toward that blessed region where sorrow is unknown; should those who have consecrated themselves to God be incited to a greater perfection and to a desire of a higher degree of glory in heaven, the writer will deem himself amply rewarded for his labor. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The Beatific Vision II. In the Beatific Vision, "We shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is." III. In the Beatific Vision, our Intellect is glorified, and our Thirst for Knowledge completely gratified IV. In the Beatific Vision, our Will is also to be glorified, and then we shall be happy in loving and being loved V. The Beauty and Glory of the Risen Body VI. The Spirituality of the Risen Body VII. The Impassibility and Immortality of the Risen Body VIII. Several Errors to be avoided in our Meditations on Heaven IX. 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.