October 1

The Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6.

EZEKIEL, when predicting the appearance of the Christ, spake of him as "David the Prince," and Daniel describes him as, "Messiah the Prince," and Peter represents him as the "Prince of Life." Isaiah refers to him as the "Prince of Peace." Numerous are the passages which associate his character and reign with happiness and peace. In his days says the Psalmist, shall righteousness flourish, and "abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." His covenant is a "covenant of peace." "He will ordain peace for us." He will make Zion's "officers peace;" and he will "extend peace unto her as a river." His mediation was expressly to obtain peace, and he "made peace by the blood of the cross." Hence, his reign is a reign of peace; he sends his ambassadors forth to preach the gospel of peace, — to proclaim peace to them that are near, and to them that are afar off. Hence, the kingdom which he imparts to the believing heart, is a kingdom of righteousness and "peace" and joy in the Holy Ghost. He blesses his people with peace, — the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keeps their hearts and minds by Christ Jesus. The legacy he bequeathed to his church, is a legacy of peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace give I unto you." And this comprehends every good, and desirable blessing, such as justification, acceptance, adoption, and heirship to eternal life. The peace he bestows is spiritual, and therefore adapted to the faculties of mind. It is divine, and therefore like every other special gift of God is supremely excellent and precious. It is abiding, such as the world giveth not, and cannot possibly take away. It is not affected by the changing scenes of earth, but is mellowed down and becomes more rich in affliction, abides the dreary ordeal of death, and rises into more exuberant sweetness when surrounded by the celestial atmosphere of the heavenly Eden.