and forever children?" Well, there was no doubt a great change in
Joseph from the time Jacob lost him, and the time when Jacob found
him--between the boy seventeen years of age and the man in midlife,
his forehead developed with a great business estate; but Jacob was
glad to get back Joseph anyhow, and it did not make much difference to
the old man whether the boy looked older, or looked younger. And it
will be enough joy for that parent if he can get back that son, that
daughter, at the gate of heaven, whether the departed loved one shall
come a cherub or in full-grown angelhood. There must be a change
wrought by that celestial climate and by those supernal years, but it
will only be from loveliness to more loveliness, and from health to
more radiant health. O parent, as you think of the darling panting and
white in membranous croup, I want you to know it will be gloriously
bettered in that land where there has never been a death and where all
the inhabitants will live on in the great future as long as God!
Joseph was Joseph notwithstanding the palace, and your child will be
your child notwithstanding all the raining splendors of everlasting
noon. What