idual development, which is
given him as a portion of his reward. And, as the reward is given in
proportion to the holiness of their lives, it follows that the
holiest enjoy more pleasure than others from heavenly music.
Evidently, this holds true of the other senses, which also are
elevated and refined according to each one's holiness of life. Hence,
however talented and learned a man may now be in music, astronomy,
philosophy, poetry, or any other natural science, and how keen and
perfect soever may be his senses, he will not enjoy more pleasure, in
virtue of these more perfect natural gifts, unless they have been
consecrated to the service of God.

This is a truth which you must never forget. For it is to be feared
that there is a half-formed notion in the minds of respectable and
highly educated persons, that their superior talents and education
will enable them to enjoy more of heaven's happiness than those who
either have no great talents or are too poor to have them developed
by study. There can be no greater illusion. If it were so, the poor,
who, have already suffered so much from their humble position, would
seemingly have reason to complain on seeing the educated classes
again above them in heaven; and that, too, merely on account of their
higher education, and other natural advantages. Remember that God can
and will elevate each one in the power of enjoyment, according to the
holiness of his life, and not according to the natural advantages he
enjoys in this world.

But although it is perfectly true that natural talents, as such, are
not rewarded, and, therefore, do not elevate their possessors to a
higher glory or power of enjoyment, the case is quite different if
these talents have been developed under the influence of grace, and
consecrated to God by supernatural motives. In such a supposition,
they will most certainly be rewarded with a higher degree of glory,
and an increased power of enjoyment. Hence, philosophers,
theologians, and other learned men, who study for the glory of God;
poets, who sing the praises of God and of his saints; musicians, who
devote their talents to the composition of sacred music; the men and
the women who consecrate their talents and lives to the education of
youth--all these shall undoubtedly have their talents rewarded with
an increased power of enjoyment, because they have supernaturalized
them by a pure intention, and exercised them for the glory of God and
the salvatio