IT The saints, while they have been the most invincible, have been also the most dependent of mankind. For of moral as of material light there are two kinds, one inherent and independent, the other derived and borrowed. The lamp on the table burns ; the mirror opposite shines. Our sun, and the multitude of stars, all blaze with their own fire; but the sphere we inhabit is a planet whose milder lustre is entirely borrowed from the sun, whence all its light and loveliness are drawn.^
2. If we, are light we are hound to shine. — That is an obvious principle. The capacity to shine is the obligation to shine, for we are all knit together by such mystical cords in this strange brotherhood of humanity that every one of us holds his position as trust property for the use and behoof of others, and in the present case that which we have received (and the price at which
1 G. A. Chadwick, Pilate's Gift, p. 164.
438 THE GREAT TEXTS OF THE BIBLE
we have received it) gives an edge to the keenness of the obliga- tion, and adds a new band to the stringency of the command. It is because Christ has given Himself thus to us that the possession of Him binds us to the imitation of His example, and the impartation of Him to all our brethren. The obligation lies at our doors, and cannot be delegated or devolved.
IT The most extraordinary of all British lighthouses is that found on Arnish Eock, Stornoway Bay, a rock separated from the Island of Lewis by a channel over 500 feet in width. On this rock a conical beacon is erected, and on its summit a lantern is fixed, from which, night after night, shines a light seen by fishermen far and wide. The way in which this peculiar lighthouse is illuminated is this : On the Island of Lewis, 500 feet away or so, is an ordinary lighthouse, and from a window on its tower a stream of light is projected on to a mirror in the lantern on the summit of the Arnish Eock. The consequence is that a lighthouse exists having neither lamp nor lighthouse keeper.
3. If we have light we shall wish to shine. — What shall we say about the Christian people that never really had such a wish ? God forbid that we should say they have no light ; but this we may say, it burns very dimly. There is no better test of the depth and the purity of our personal attachment to and possession of our Master than the impulse that will spring from them to communicate them to others. " Necessity is laid upon me, yea, woe is me if I preach not." That should be the word of every one of us ; and it will be, in the measure in which we ourselves get thorough hold of Jesus Christ. " This is a day of good tidings. We cannot hold our peace," said the handful of lepers in the camp ; " if we are silent some mischief will come to us." " Thy Word, when I shut it up in my bones and said I will speak no more in Thy name, was hke a fire, and I was weary of forbearing and I could not stay."
IT One hot June night, on the banks of the Hudson Eiver in America, I watched the fire-flies dancing like fairy lamps against the deep blue-black of the sky. Now and again one would flare with exceptional brilliancy. I was told that it was when they were attacked by a hostile insect, and that their source of protec- tion was to emit a keener brilliancy to discomfit and dazzle the adversary. Those that failed to let their light shine fell victims to the depredator.^
' B. Wilberforce.
ISAIAH 439
IIL For Thy Light is Come.
The prophet enables us to see how bright the h'ght is that has dawned upon the Holy City of Zion by presenting in the following verses a graphic picture of the gross darkness that still lies upon the surrounding nations. And it is good for us, even as we rejoice in the light, to recall sometimes the darkness from which we have been rescued.
f It is not so many years ago that there was a young man, who did not know his right hand from his left in spiritual things ; he put darkness for light, and light for darkness ; bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter ; and that man, not so young now, knows the Saviour, he has learnt the evil of sin, and he has rejoiced in all the delights of pardon. Was that young man yourself ? If so, you may well prize your present privileges. It is not so long ago that there was a man who was in the darkness of soul-agony. His sin was heavy upon him ; God's hand pressed him till all the moisture of his being seemed to exude, and he was like a plant withered in the long droughts of autumn. He cried to the Lord, but for a while he received no response to his petitions. He begged for mercy, but it did not come. Now, that same person is sitting here, thankful that he is pardoned, and that he knows how he has been delivered from the wrath of God, and he blesses that Divine Substitute who took upon Himself his sin, and with it that sin's penalty, and so delivered the guilty one from the wrath to come. Oh, what a change there is in that young man ! That young man is yourself ; is he not ? ^