love, and enjoy God in the
Beatific Vision. They are all perfectly happy; and yet, among the
countless multitude of God's children, probably not two really enjoy
the same degree of happiness. Each one enjoys according to the
elevation of his mind, which he has deserved by the holiness of his
life. Not only is there a difference in the degrees of enjoyment, but
there is a gulf between the highest and the lowest in heaven. It is,
moreover, an impassable gulf, which the lowest can never cross so as
to reach the highest happiness of heaven. It were far easier for the
lowest and most uncouth servant-maid in a king's palace to reach the
dignity and glory of a queen, than it is for the lowest in heaven to
reach the most intimate degree of union with God. Each one is happy
in the degree and sphere which his life has deserved for him; but in
that degree each one will and must remain forever.

I trust that you now understand something of the different degrees of
happiness in heaven; and that, at the same time, you are filled with
a holy ambition to reach a high degree of union with God. If so,
thank God. For a high degree of glory in heaven is within the reach
of us all, however poor, ignorant, or insignificant we may be here
below. Heaven is not as this world, where the mere accident of birth,
or the smile of fortune, instead of moral worth, generally determines
a man's position in society, as well as the amount of natural
happiness he shall enjoy. Hence, no poor girl ever imagines that, if
she be very virtuous, some great king will eventually espouse her,
and elevate her to the dignity and glory of a queen. No poor boy ever
believes that, if he behaves well, and obeys the laws of the land as
a good citizen, the king will, in consequence, eventually adopt him
as one of his sons, and bestow upon him the honors and pleasures
which may be enjoyed by royal children. But even supposing such wild
dreams could be realized in this world, these ignorant and uncouth
people could not be made happy in their elevated position. And why?
Because the king, who has the power to give palaces, wealth,
magnificent dresses, and tables loaded with every imaginable luxury,
has not the power to bestow the elevation of mind, polish of manners,
and other graces which befit queens and royal children. Hence, they
would feel out of place, and be unable to enjoy the happiness to
which they have been elevated. Besides, they would see themselves
despised, and