_If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it_.–ROM. viii. 25.
_One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day_.–2 PETER iii. 8.

Lord! who Thy thousand years dost wait To work the thousandth part Of Thy vast plan, for us create With zeal a patient heart.
J. H. NEWMAN.
I believe that if we could only see beforehand what it is that our heavenly Father means us to be,–the soul beauty and perfection and glory, the glorious and lovely spiritual body that this soul is to dwell in through all eternity,–if we could have a glimpse of this, we should not grudge all the trouble and pains He is taking with us now, to bring us up to that ideal, which is His thought of us. We know that it is God’s way to work slowly, so we must not be surprised if He takes a great many years of discipline to turn a mortal being into an immortal, glorious angel.
ANNIE KEARY.