A FUTURE LIFE 271 



■each other. Death cannot be the contradiction of 

 life. In the endless chain of events death can only 

 be one link — a brief transition from the life that now 

 is to the life that is beyond. The stream of life flows 

 forever on. Death is not its end, but only the closed 

 door that shuts it out from mortal view. 



Nature proclaims with universal voice that things 

 which are shall be. Change is not annihilation, but 

 the establishment of new relations. Matter, force 

 .and mind exist for eternity. 



The upward progress through the long ages indi- 

 cates that there may be other steps in the future. 

 Matter, plant life, animal life, grading from the sim- 

 plest organism, a single cell, with no sense except 

 that of touch, and that but feebly developed, on up 

 through more and more complex form3 till we reach 

 the highest vertebrates, with all the senses highly 

 developed and with marvelous instincts; thence on by 

 the greatest of all steps of progress in creation to the 

 mind of man — this upward march of purpose in crea- 

 tion speaks of something higher yet to come. 



The purpose of the Creator, it seems to me, cannot 

 be fulfilled by blotting out his noblest work, but 

 rather may it be by advancing the soul to other 

 opportunities for which the experiences of this life 

 have prepared it. 



