The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-23
A CANDLE FOR HIS TEXT.
THE REY. JOHN CRAWFORD's
NOVEL DISCOURSE.
Many Lessons in the FIames-The Sym
bOlism of the BuslieI, the Dark Liant
ern and the Blended Lights.


Many Lessons in the Flames-The Sym
bolism of the BusiieI, the Dark Liant
ern and the Blended Lights.
At the Trinity NJ. E. Church, on York
street, Yesterday morning, the Rev. John
Crawford delivered what he is pleased to
term candle sermon. All about him
were grouped candlesticks and candles.
Other articles with which he illustrated
his morning lesson were scattered about
the rostrum till the pulpit reminded me
of disarranged Catholic altar. The
reverend gentleman first gave short dis
sertation upon Labor, Property, Aims
and Thrift"
HThese four blood relations, said he,
will form the text from which | will
preach next Sunday morning. Now,
what do we mean by q candle sermon?
A lighted candle is emblematic Of a
true Christian spirit, and a faithful con-
fession Of Christ as we let the light of our
candle shine out. The first point | wish
to fasten your attention upon is that the
Lord lights this candle.
For thou wilt light my candle; the
Lord my God will enlighten my way.
Psalm xviii, %.
when his candle shineth upon my
mead, and when by his light l walked
throgh darkness. John xxix.3"
After lighting three candles in one
stick to typify the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost, the eloquent minister held two un-
lighted candles in his had and showed
how impossible it was for one to light the
other
'"They remind me of two men trying to
get a full confession of Christ in public
meeting" said he ''They don't pray in
private. They should go in private and
get their candles lighted"
UNLIGHTED CANDLES
Taking up box of unlighted candles
the minister ratified them. They were as
tinkling cymbals, and sounding brass.
you see, can't light this box with the
lighted candle, l hold it in my other
hand. am reminded of some poor sin
nersa who come to church and sit in the
back seats. They are cursed by drink,
profanity, etc. The minister fails to touch
their hearts. They pass into the streets
again, into the saloon and other resorts
where they wrestle with the devil. Lord
forbid that the church should become q
box of unlighted candles
"These snutfers,' continued the min
lister, picking up pair of old fashioned
ones from tables ''are like some of those
critics whose fault findings and criti-
cisms snuff the candles out. They ex-
tinguish the light. The devil is great
critic and o great eXtinguisher.
UNDER BUsHEL.
''AIy second point is:--Be careful not to
hinder the light God has given"
A ripple of laughter at this juncture
broke over the congregation as the min
lister brought forward a half bushel meas
ure. He had been unable to find bushel
measure, but it served we'll enough to
illustrate his purpose.
There are some men who hide their
Christianity beneath worldly pleasures
and business pursuits. They are like the
candle place under this measure. Some
times the light is covered so long it dwin-
dies. Take it out and place it on top of
the measure. Like this, seer
"Then,' continued the minister, ex-
hibiting dark lantern, "here is some
thing which typitles those young men
who have what might be termed con-
venient Christianity. They often hide
their light on one occasion and let it shine
on others. They 80 to the theatre on
Monday night. They shut their light off
like this. Seeg Then they come to prayer
meeting on Tuesday night, and turn on
the light like this. See? Friday night
they go to the ball. Saturday they specu-
late in Wall street. The light is turned
off. Sunday they come to church. The
light is turned on again. The theatre and
the ball room are good enough places, if
you are strong enough to convert them
into power for God Otherwise they
are not, and are to be summed"
BLENDED LIGHTS.
Apt illustrations were made with lights
which typifed delicacy of feeling which
needed protection and others which
craved dash, color and excitement.
White lights were exhibited as emble-
matte of purity, green lights for jealousy,
etc., etc.
But the prettiest illustration was
that of seven candles of different hues in
one line. They represented the Method
lists. the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the
Episcopalians,. the Congregationaiists, the
Quakers and the Lutherans.
Looking at them crosswise," said the
pastor, 1--WE ask, what's the use of so
many denominations? Let US look at
them linewise. This way the lights are
in sympathy. That is the way to view
the churches of Christ"
The last was an illustration of the
light in the window, which could not be
put out from the outside.
The entire sermon was listened to with
close attention by large congregation.
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