Can the Holy Angels advance in the love of God and in happiness? They could during their state of probation, but they cannot do so now. Now they have all the happiness of which their natures are capable. The cup is full to the brim and can receive no more. Here it is that we differ from them. We can advance by every good act we perform. How eager we should be to omit no occasion of making progress, seeing how short our time on earth will be.

Do not then the Angels merit by their service rendered to God? No, for merit implies that those who merit are still on their trial. The trial of the Angels is over, and the service they render to God is a part of their reward. What a happy state, when everything that men do now with difficulty and after a struggle with their corrupt nature, will be an unmixed joy and happiness!

The Angels in this are more like to God Himself than any creatures which are not yet made perfect. They have arrived at the goal of their existence, instead of being still in a state of discipline and consequently of suffering. They are like to God in His unclouded, unapproachable, immeasurable happiness. We too shall one day be made perfect and like to God Himself in the absence of all that interferes with happiness. The more we seek to merit now, the more intense will be the joy of seeing God in Heaven.