E-text prepared by David McClamrock
By a Father of the Society of Jesus
F. J. BOUDREAUX (Requiescat in pace)
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared foryou."—Matth. xxv. 34.
I, Ferdinand Coosemans, Provincial of the Society of Jesus inMissouri, in virtue of power granted to me by the Very Reverend P.Beck, Superior General of the same Society, hereby permit thepublication of a book entitled: "THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN, by a Fatherof the Society of Jesus;" the same having been approved by thecensors appointed by me to revise it.
St. Louis, Mo., 1 Nov., 1870. F. Coosemans, S.J.
Liber supradictus, cum a Censoribus Nostris fuerit jam probatus,imprimatur.
+ MARTINUS JOANNES, Archiep. Baltimor.
Entered, according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by John
Murphy & Co., in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at
Washington.
Baltimore: Published by John Murphy & Co. New York: Catholic
Publication Society. 1872.
It seldom falls to the lot of a Catholic Publisher to issue from hispress a book, which, while it possesses the true, substantial meritof genuine Catholic literature, is at the same time graced with thenovelty, the absorbing interest which at once command the attentionon the Public, and place the book in a high and permanent positionbefore the world. Such has been our good fortune in the publicationof "THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN"—and of this no better proof can berequired than the unprecedented sale of 3000 copies, constituting thefirst edition, in less than sixty days, and the constantly increasingdemand which already calls forth this second edition. Few books havebeen more warmly welcomed by the Press, both Catholic andnon-Catholic, than "The Happiness of Heaven;" fewer still haveproved, in the perusal, more worthy of the praises bestowed byReviewers, or have borne out the character which favorable criticshad assigned. Of this work it may be said with truth, that thehighest praise falls short of its merit, the most favorable critichas not said too much in its commendation. And this promises to bemore than an ephemeral popularity—the book will live—it will beread with pleasure and profit, as long as genuine Catholic literaturefinds readers.
It is a book which was long wanted: a thorough, systematic treatiseon a subject of the most vital importance: a book which gives us allthat Catholic Theology teaches about heaven, and gives it in anauthentic shape, with text, references and citations in allscholastic completeness; and yet in a form adapted to the humblestcapacity. It is indeed, as one of its reviewers so happily calls it,"The spiritual Geography of heaven, giving us such a knowledge ofthat blessed country, as we can acquire at this distance," andshowing forth its beauties, its loveliness, its thousandfold bliss ina manner so clear, so winning, so unconquerably attractive, thatearth pales into insignificance before those dazzling splendors, andour hearts long to be where our real treasure is. When we have readthis book and studied it, (for a single perusal of it will notsatisfy us,) we know something of that heavenly Paradise which is tobe the eternal abode of the Elect, and knowing it, we must love anddesire it,—we must submit with patience, if not with joy, to thetrials of this life, which are to be there so gloriouslyrewarded,—we must sigh for the moment which is to admit us