Besides its phj-sical sense (Matt, xvii, 2 ; Acts ix, 3 ; xii, 7 ; 2 Cor. iv, 6), the term light is used by metonj'my for a fire giving light (iNIark xiv, 54; Luke xxii, 56); for a torch, candle, or lamp (Acts xvi, 29) ; for the ma- terial light of heaven, as the sun, moon, or stars (Psa, cxxxvi, 7 ; James i, 17), In figurative language it sig- nifies a manifest or open state of things (Matt, x, 27; Luke xii, 3), and in a higher sense the eternal source of truth, purity, and joy (1 John i, 5). God is said to dwell in light inaccessible (1 Tim. vi, 16), which seems to contain a reference to the glory and splendor that shone in the holy of holies, where Jehovah appeared in the luminous cloud above the mercy seat, and which none but the high-priest, and he only once a year, was permitted to approach (Lev. xvi, 2 ; Ezek. i, 22, 26, 28). This light was typical of the glory of the celestial world. See Shekinah. Light itself is employed to signify the edicts, laws, rules, or directions that proceed from ruling powers for the good of their subjects. Thus of the great
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kins of all the earth the Psalmist says, " Thy word is a lij^ht unto ray path" (Pisa, cxix, 105), and "Thy judg- ments are as the light" (Hos. vi, 5). Agreeably to the notion of lights being the symbols of good government, liglit also signifies protection, deliverance, and joy. Light also frequently signifies instruction both by doc- trine and example (Matt, v, IG ; John v, 35), or persons considered as giving such light (Matt, v, 14 ; Kom. ii, 19). It is applied in the highest sense to Christ, the true liglit, the sun of righteousness, who is that in the spirit- ual which the material light is in the natural world, the great author not only of illumination and knowledge, but of spiritual life, healtli, and joy to the soids of men (Isa. Ix, 1). "Among the pcrsonitications on this point wliich Scripture presents we may specify, (1.) God. The ajiostle James (i, 17) declares that • every good and per- fect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,' obviously referring to the faithfidness of God and the constancy of his goodness, which shine on imdimmed and unshadowed. So Paul (I Tim. vi, 16), 'God who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.' Here the idea intended by the imagery is the incom- prehensibleness of the self- existent and eternal God. (2.) Light is also applied to Christ: 'The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light' (Matt, iv, 16 ; Luke ii, 32; John i, 4 scj.). 'He was the true light;' 'I am the light of the world' (John viii, 12 ; xii, 35, 36). (3.) It is further used of angels, as in 2 Cor. xi, 14: ' Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.' (4.) Light is moreover employed of men : John the Bap- tist ' was a burning and a shining light' (John v, 35) ; 'Ye are the light of the world' (Matt, v, 14; see also Acts xiii, 47; Eph. v, 8)" (Kitto). See Lights.
LIGHT, Div'iNE. See Knowledge; Religion.
LIGHT, Inward. See Quakers.
LIGHT OF Nature. See Nature.
Light, Friends of. See Free Congregations.
Light, George C, a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Westmoreland County, Va., Feb. 28, 1785. In 1792 liLs father removed to Kentucky, and in 1799 to Ohio, where in 1803 he joined the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In 1804 the son was converted at a camp- meeting; in 1806 he entered the itinerant ministry in the Western Conference, and in 1807 he was ordained deacon. Locating after his marriage in 1808, he was employed as a surveyor till 1822, when he entered the Kentucky Conference, Yrom this time until 1859 he labored actively as an itinerant preacher, tilling the most important stations in Kentucky, Missouri, and Mississippi. He died Feb. 27, 1859. Mr. Light was held to lie one of the most eloquent and useful ministers in the \\'cst during many years. No man of his day, it is thought, liad greater control over the popular mind. — Camp, ,Sk(fr/i of the Rev. G. C. L'njht (Nashville, 1860).
Light, Old and New. See United Presby- terians.
Lightfoot, John (1), D.D., a noted English divine and Hebraist, was born at Stoke-upon-Trent in 1G02. He was educated first at a grammar-school at Morton Green, in Cheshire, and afterwards at Cambridge. He was remarkable, at Cambridge and afterwards, for his eloquence and his proficiency in Latin and (Jreek. Quit- ting tlie university, he became assistant at the well- known school of Hepton, in Derbyshire. A yc(ir or two after he entered into orders, and Settled at Norton-un- der-Hales, in Shropshire, where he began the study of the Hebrew, which ripeneil into the most familiar and consummate knowledge of the whole range of Biblical and I{abt)inical literature. In 1G27 he accei)ted the cure of Stone, in Staffordshire. Two years later he removed to Ilornsey, in order to be near tlie librarj- of Sion College, and later accepted the rectory of Ashford, in Stattbrdshire. Here he remained during the tur- bulent vears which led to the death of Charles I, the