Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/144

 In Daniel (chap. ix.) there is a prophecy relative to this glorious coming, which speaks of it being preceded by an overspreading abomination which should lay waste and make desolate the Holy City, Sanctuary, or Church of God. In allusion to this prophecy, the Lord Jesus, when speaking to his disciples, says, "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not (i. e., in the Holy Place or Church), then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains." What is the abomination that makes desolate, laying waste the beauty and truth of the church of God in the soul of man? It is that ruinous self-love, in which are concealed the love of the world, of dominion, and all other evils. These, by supplanting in the soul the love of God and man, spread ruin and desolation in the world of mind. A sordid self-love puts on religion as a cloak, the more effectually to gain its unworthy ends; then, under the pretended garb of meekness and humility, spiritual power and tyranny are assumed over the souls of men, while all the truths of Revelation are tortured and strained to pervert things good and true, and to force the mind to believe that as true, which, in itself, is false and incomprehensible. This abomination which makes desolate, prevails more or less in all religions, whatever name they assume, who exercise authority over the souls of men; and, by pains and penalties, compel belief in human creeds, thereby checking the growth of mind, and the free uncontrolled expression of thought. Such religion is, in Scripture, called Babylon, a word meaning confusion or mixture, by reason of an outward appearance of sanctity being mixed with what is false and profane. When religion is made the