XXIV. Bible Study. "FOR Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."ISAIAH lxii. 1. "THE Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."— 2 THESSALONIANS iii. 5. OUR hope, Lord, faileth never, When Thou Thy word didst plight; My fears then ceased for ever, G TWENTY-FOURTH DAY. HOLY OLY Scripture contains all that is necessary to make us wise unto salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus. It is, moreover, a revelation from God, which not only bears the seal of Divinity, but carries its own evidence along with it. For many ages attempts have been made by sceptical minds to shake the authenticity of the Scriptures; but all such attempts have proved wretched failures, and something worse. For when the full force of unprejudiced reason has been brought to bear on those sacred truths therein revealed, they have been incontestably proved to be worthy of their Divine Author. One of the most delightful uses of Bible study is that we may obtain glimpses of that glorious rest which is reserved for the ransomed soul. What an exalted idea is afforded to us in the glowing descriptions of the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel; and yet how poor is language to convey a single thought of the exceeding brightness of that glory, the appearance" of which they beheld. It is but natural that we should seek to draw consolation, during our weary pilgrimage state, from those blessed views of heaven. But who can speak of its inconceivable splendour ? There are the redeemed and holy ones, free from guilt and sin's dominion, ever in the enjoyment of youthful vigour. Of the ineffable delights of the immense multitude before the eternal throne who can judge? They are all as so many trophies of His grace, uniting in the praises of the Lamb. "They sing a new song." So loud is the swell of their anthem-like the sound of a mighty ocean-that John tells us he could hear while upon earth those harmonious notes. And the harpers, harping with their harps, as the voice of many waters." We read that once on a great musical occasion in Westminster Abbey, there was one sound in the chorus from the organ and the voices united- -a swell so deep and so amazing that the venerable building shook to its foundation, so that it was not again repeated. But what must be those pealing harmonies of the hallelujahs of heaven? Surely it was meant that the trials of earth should all help to make that everglorious rest more welcome. The pious John Brown, of Haddington, said, “ I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me, that I think if God were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world, I would not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed, except that I wish I had less sin. It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence, who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.' JESUS! most holy, I would gaze upon Till earthly things for evermore are gone, XXV. The Calm Within. "FOR ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”—ISAIAH lv. 12. 66 "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."-2 CORINTHIANS xii. 9. WHEN the flowers have faded Faded from our way; When the hopes are shatter'd Which were once our stay; When the heart within us Throbs a dreary knell |