Nevada County picayune., 1889-08-14
RELIGIOUS COLUMN.
Edited by .. GEO. A. GARDNER.
LIGHT.

though highly attcnuated, is one of the finer forms of matter, and re- poses quietly and softly on the bosom of the universe. Spiritual light, on the contrary, is immaterial and intangible; its source is from the same august Being who in the beginning said, Let there be light, and there was llght." The true mission of light, whether material or spiritual, is to make manifest, to bring to view what was before hidden and unknown. It does not create, it does not even change the forms of those substances upon which it is brought to bear. It simply reveals their true character. Hence, we may consider it one of the greatest gifts of Gcd to man-indeed, it may truly be considered as indispensable.
 The first thing, therefore, after the heaven and the earth were spoken into existence, was the creation of light after which followed the orderly processes in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, eliminating in the creation of man, and his en- thronement oyer this lower world. Everybody recognizes the indispen- sable necessity and benetlcient agency of material light but how few appreciate the necessity and uplifting tendency of spiritual light! !! 1t may be interesting to note some of the analogies between these grand agencies in the physical and moral systems of the universe, So far as we know, the sun, the great center and governor of our system or fam | ily of worlds, irradiates and illumi- mates every nook and corner of the solar system, and, in the expressive language of Scripture, it is said, ''there is nothing hid from the heat thereof" In like manner, the sun of righteousness sheds his moral beams throughout the length and breadth of the moral system; and it may be said, that no intelligent being is hid from the effects thereof
 The sun is the great promoter and sustainer of life, both vegetable and animal, in the realm of physical nature; so, the true light, of which the other is an expressive symbol, nourishes and sustains all who re- ceive and assimilate its heaven-born effulgcnce. Sun light puriiies by it's hcalth-giving prOperties-the light which is from above cleanses from pollution and defilement of sin. Sun light enriches the landscape with it's beautiful and variegated colors, pen cils the lovely flower that adorns our valleys, and paints the rainbow in .all it's gorgeous hues upon the storm cast sky; so the splendors of the heavenly shekinah irradiates the chambers of the soul. enriches and beautities all its Christian graces, and paints the rainbow of promise upon all the dark clouds which loom up on our spiritural horizon. When the material sun rises, he disperses the darkness of night, and diffuses life and activity among all the de- partments of nature; and when the moral sun arises, with healing in his wings, he drives back the powers of darkness. and sheds his celestial ra- dance over all the domains of con- science, emotion and understanding
 John said of our blessed Savior, He is the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" in Him the light of God was incarnated, and dwelt among man, ] full of grace and truth, and dispen- sing blessings wherever he went.
 Spiritual light is synonymous with spiritual knowledge, accompanied with grace; this is eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only true ! God. and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. This light exposes the dcpravity of the heart, the corrup- ton of sin, and reveals the remedy. ! It gives us correct views of Gods nature, His moral government, mans condition and duty; and points out the only way by which sinful man can become reconcilcd to God, and secure the blessings of everlasting life. Surely such precious light ought to be highly appreciated by the children of men; and all ought to give heed to it's teachings, "as unto light that shineth in dark place." until the full-orbed day