is certainly heaven's first law, and this appoints celestial love to be the supreme and governing affection of the soul, the result of which is lasting peace. Imagine a group of precious stones with one large ruby in the centre. The light falling upon these, being received in larger proportions by the circle nearest the centre one, than the others, the ruby would transmit its warm red light to all the rest, tinging and colouring the whole. So celestial love, as the ruling power of the soul, imparts to the subordinate affections portions of its own celestial quality, infusing into them a love that softens and brightens the whole. Peace comprehends in it everything blessed and tranquil. It involves all union, power, and strength—the union of divinity and humanity in the Lord—the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church. The Sabbath was instituted as a remembrance of these things, and has its name from rest or peace; and as all peace is of and from the Lord Jesus, so He is the "Lord of the Sabbath," and essentially the Prince of Peace!
Blessed be the Lord for his precious gift of Peace.
February Eighteenth.
THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION.
"When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, standing where it ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains."—Mark xiii. 14.
HOLY Scripture, man's faithful guide in all things of a religious nature, points to a time when the Lord would make His second appearance in power and glory, to establish in the world and in the hearts of the people, His spiritual church and kingdom.
