The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-14

=, cs your ilSnt so ehine before men, that
thew v, 10.
"Ye," said Jesus, "are the light of the
world" Not Caiaphas or Alexander, but
..ye." Peter. james and John, humble
fishermen. Ye that are learners of the
Gospel and willing to follow me. Ye
that are sufficiently interested in the
kingdom of heaven to lose time from
your occupation to converse upon and
study the great subjects. Ye that are
willing to hear the reproach of enthusi-
asts that are not offended at the poverty
and plainness Of Jesus. "Ye arc the
light Of the world. Let your light so
shine before men, &C."
The lawyers and doctors of the Sanhe-
drim are far more learned in Rabbnical
lore and occupy far higher positions of
influence and power. But their learning
IS not the kind that men most need. Ths
knowledge which makes grand Doctor
and q consequential ecclesiastic; man
floating in the regions ofa fanciful theoi-
oogy .pufieth up the professor without ra-
diating.a genial light. 1t is knowledge
which doe1 not generate love for the race:
knowledge barren of "good works." The
true light of the Christian is "good works. !"
The true ref ection Of Jesus, Hthe light of
the world" is good works." II is the
true, the permanent power of man over
man. The doctrine that flowers into
good works, is living doctrine and not
dead speculation. The creed that takes
an ignorant child by the hand; that
whispers courage to disconsolate widow !;
that reforms an inebriate; that coins q
dollar TO send the Gospel to destitute re.
gions, is the light of The world. What
the world needs more than book. learning
is heart sympathy with its ignorance and
sin. It needs race of men and women
who have courage to do "good work."
But while the worlds greatest need is
the light that emanntes from pure, good,
holy, we'll directed effort to do s'good
works." it does not need the wild fire of
enthusiasts, all ablaze with partizan heat,
to build up sect or denomination, nor
the light of wandering stars" attrac.
ting attention for short season and then
disappearing; but the steady light of
good, Judicious and perseyering Christian
Again, the world does not need that
kind of religion which fourishes without
doctrine. 1t is said sometimes, by we'll
meaning Christians, that IL is OF little
consequence what your belief is provided
your motive and conduct are right. That
Christianity is just simple goodness, in.
formed or nninformed.
That one hath doctrine, and an
other q psalm but the main matter
is to live right. But how, in all human
good sense, can man live right, rs it is
termed, without knowing whatit is to live
right? Without knowing what God means
by it? For each haiti doctrine and
psalm abcut that. Does itreguire kuowl-
edge to practice medicine, to manage q
store, and none, or but little to be
Christian? Is it of but little moment :o
know what God tells us about living here
and hereafter3 But, it is said, we do not
mean that. We mean that good inten-
tions and good aims constitute good char.
acter, and this is all that Christianity
requires. Ah but where are you 60
ing to get good objects 10 which they are
directed? How arc you going to raise q
crop Of good intentions without planting
the seed And what could possibly
make a few ignorant gcnd intentions M
valuable rs many we'll informed good in
tentions. Can field Of nubbins be as
valuable as field of welIeared corn?
But OF what value can ignorant good in
tentions and delightful religious feelings
without-some knowledge to guide them
Suppose man, ignorant of Gods right
business, should go about 10 establish
his own righteousness, which might be in
the opposite direction from salvation,
would it amount to the same thing in the
end, any more than if mau, meaning to
60 to Boston should mount the train 20.
ing to San Francisco fl'
1t is impossible to ignore religious
knowledge without ignoring all knowl.
edge. It is impossible to he Christian
without knowing the doctrines which con-
stitute the Christian faith. A man may
know little Of them and be saved, but
it will be little and week Christian that
will be saved. Ifany man build on this
foundation i. e. Christl gold, silver, wood,
hay. stubble.-h work shall suffer loss.
but he shall be saved, yet so as by
fire.
/ have said enough to show that the
Christian's light is not Knowledge, that it
is not good intenticns and good feelings.
Il is good intentions, directed by good
knowledge. sustained by good and holy
perseverance generated by Gods good
spirit. z
Now, you will notice that the Great
Teacher did not mean to congratulate his
disciples as being the actual pnsaeasnrs Of
this light, when He said eye arc the
light of the world" but that such was
the position which they began now to
occupy, and such must be the effect of
their character on tho world If they be
trul his followers. And such of course
must be che position and character of ev-
cry Christian. He must be luminary.
Yes, q light shining in dark place. OBJ
jects and their proportions are made vis-,
ibie by mis- presence. a naughty action
is rebnked by his upright department..
a corrupt sentiment is corrected by his
pure conversations.
Now, wanted to say to you, my breth.
rem, and to ali Christians, aLet your
light so chino before men, that they may
SEQ your WorkB." It is the most gentie
exhortation to Christian duty In the world
just let your Christianity raiiate. A
beautiful action ought not to be hid. A
Christian sentiment will find uttersnce if
you do notrepress it, and tho it be b"ti
one small ray, still it 10 roy of l'gnt
that goes to make up the light Of the
world. Aud do not be afraid. There
neverNas q skepticisn or an inGdelityI
yet shat could caiumniate light or say of
it that 1t was not good thing It is
Gods pure element that the evil one
himself cannot maligI. Thore never was
M iniidei argument yet that could stand
before p pure and noble liie. If you have
not an argument in 9yogdsS you have
what Is better, the ability to let the world
see o Christians; q EhTiasihnrifl prosperf-
ty and Christian in adversity; a Chris.
tiGn feu1rteI1 n Oh Fiet;ot si;ob, "a ..,,1