A Future State 



versation arose, I don't remember out of what, concerning a 

 future state, and whether it would be final or not. Harry 

 thought it must : otherwise it would be most unsatisfactory, 

 after being buffeted through this world with an expectation 

 of final peace in the next, to find there was yet a struggle 

 and an uncertainty beyond the grave. 



" Yes, but we may wake and remember nothing of this 

 state in the next, having in the baby germ of our nature the 

 seeds of all the improvement our life in this world has 

 wrought in us : and go to work fresh again, with as much 

 spirit and cheerfulness as a man who went to sleep 

 weary and dawled over-night, sets to his task again next 

 morning." 



" That is more unsatisfactory still ; for then we should 

 forget all those friendships, and ties of affection and kindred, 

 which alone make life tolerable." 



"But you must remember that all these ties and relations 

 have been formed in this planet ; and similar, nay better, 

 may be formed in the next. We perhaps may meet the same 

 souls again, and love them, though we do not remember 

 them ; nor can we be sure that we are not here drawn 

 towards the friends of some state prior to this, by a 

 previous though unremembered sympathy. Life as it is, is 

 well worth having ; there is much more pleasure than pain 

 in it." 



" I do not know that : doubt makes us miserable." 



" It don't make me miserable. I feel quite satisfied that 

 I am in the hands of All-Wisdom, and All-Love, and All- 

 Power ; and I argue from past experience that I shall be 

 treated better than I deserve. I am happy now, and thankful 

 for my life. I am neither hungry, nor thirsty, nor cold. I am 

 for the present interested with this discussion. If I want 

 to smoke, I can light my pipe ; and if I grow sleepy, I can go 



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