heavens and in the new earth, there may be employment for even those powers—­such as inventive genius—­which might seem to be necessarily confined to this our temporary scene?  If we are through a bodily organisation to be for ever united to matter, why may not science and art be called into exercise then as well as now, in order to make it minister to our wants or desires?  And even as regards the noble creations of artistic genius, why should the supposition be deemed as unworthy of the most exalted and spiritual views of heaven, that man may for ever be a fellow-worker with the Divine Artist who fills the universe with His own endless creations of beauty and magnificence?  And can it be that our moral habits and Christian graces shall never be called into exercise in works and labours of love among orders of beings of whom as yet we know nothing?  Countless worlds may be teeming with immense populations, and who knows but such worlds may be continually added to the great family of God.  And if throughout the endless ages of eternity, or in any province of God’s boundless empire, there should ever be found some responsible beings who are tempted to depart from God by the machinations of wicked men or evil spirits,—­permitted, then, it may be, as well as now, to use all their powers in the service of sin and against the kingdom of God,—­and who being thus tempted shall require warning or support to retain them in their allegiance;—­or if there be found others who are struggling in an existence, which, however glorious, demands patience, fortitude, and faith in Jehovah; if there are now in other worlds, or ever shall appear any persons who need such ministrations as can be afforded only by those educated in the wonderful school of Christ’s Church;—­then can I imagine how God’s saints from earth may have glorious labours given them throughout eternity, which they alone, of all the creatures of God, will be able to accomplish, when every holy habit acquired here can be put to noble uses there.  I can conceive patience needed to overcome difficulties; and faith to trust the living God amidst evolutions of His providence that baffle the understanding; and indomitable courage, untiring zeal, gentle love, heavenly serenity and intense sympathy, yea, even the peculiar gifts and characteristics of each individual;—­all having their appropriate and fitting work given them.  “Now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”  And what immense joy will be experienced in each saint thus finding an outlet for his love, and exercise for his knowledge, and full play for his every faculty, in that “house of many mansions,” with all God’s universe around and eternity before him!  I borrow the language of the great and good Isaac Taylor, who has written so eloquently and convincingly on this subject:—­“There labour shall be without fatigue, ceaseless activity without the necessity of repose, high enterprise without disappointment, and mighty achievements which leave behind no weariness or decay;—­where ’they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; shall walk, and not faint.’”