Lamb: Consoling or Truth?

Lamb really focuses around a pivotal question that is still asked today: why do wise and good people die, while the foolish and evil are given continued life? The speaker argues that the sister had an “honour’d mind” and was filled with “meekest wisdom.” The speaker does not understand why “the foolish are left to roam at large / doing all acts of folly, and sin, and shame?” He concludes however that God’s “paths are mystery!” What is interesting, however, in the first stanza is that the speaker suggests that the sister is no longer anything, with “senses lock’d.” While in the second stanza the speaker presents the idea that “we shall one day meet,” the first stanza does not present this hope. I wonder therefore if this is the speaker struggling with the idea of if there is an actual heaven and future, or if “these false suggestions be / A fit of the weak nature.” The speaker clearly has religious belief and understands that God has a path planned for every person, however, there seems to be uncertainty about the eventual end of the path. In addition, I find it interesting because when a loved one passes, it is helpful to tell ourselves that it’s okay, he is in a better place, and one day we will be together. However, there is always the seed of doubt about if this is actually true or just a coping method. It is also easier to accept good people passing if we console ourselves with the idea that they are in a “perfect rest.” In reality, though, life could just be unfair, with no rhyme or reason.