The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-30
I;pht and fpfuenre

Both candles and salt are necessary
commodities. VIC can't do very Wen
without either. But they have very cli-
fcrent duties 10 perform ana very az
ferent services to render TO the human
family. And they must be reacy ana
qualified 10 do what Is expected OF theih.
a candle is not brought TO be put uncer
a Dushel. but on canclestick, and the
salt, II u loses its SAVIOR, Is thrown out
into the streets. But how very different
are their ways Of life, The candle Is maur
10 be. put on It's candlcstlck, to be con-
stantly before tho people. and 10 spend
its being there The salt Is brought mo
being only 10 be used up ana known me-
ly for its effects, ana forgotten, tnouSH
its absence is as positively felt, as the sio-
sence of the candle at night. AND tneie
is another thing about both OF mem.
They must cOniine themselves 10 theil
business, and not oyerdO II. TOO SlarlhS
a light is painful; and too much SAT- ut
terly spoils thing Moreover, the value
and extent of the good that these Two
things accomplish. and their acceptaDlh
IT, come Of their Single-hcaItcJhess anu
essential goodness. From me sinonlns
tallOw candle to the clear. pure. spcrma-
ceu that is consumed in light ElNlil&,
and from the commonest rock SAT- Tor
cattle 10 the best Tor table use, lheie
are grades degrees of excellence. ana the
merit of the thing is known in its being
consumed in the accomplishment Oh us
duty, in it's utter self-sacrihce. 10"
beautifully they illustrate absolute ueVo-
ton 10 the general good The LlSht anu
Life Of the world lived ana shOne anu
was consumed, that all mankind might DC
enlightened ard sanctified. What a Won
derful thing is that fifty-third chapter or
ISAIAH II Is the eirorescence OF the hisl
germ OF hope that was given 10 our rum
ed race. .1.
But light and influence are both neces-
sary: and the candle on the golden can,
dlestick may shine with pure ana
calm and life-giving light, and as eI-
fectively as the salt imparts It's saving
ana enduring influence. fach mas rs
own way Of reaching the heart, anu may
accomplish something or nothing Just AZ
cording 10 its nature and essence. Nelih-
err lives for itself. And either may IAN
by being selfish. II the candle is set only
on shining on its own account, il may
become a nuisance. and If the salt IS Sc.
OF making itself felt, and thal oHiS' j.
may offend or poison.
And the service OF these two things i'm
press a lesson of life. We may talk OF
making ourselves names or lmpIessino
ourselves on our generations. we are
going to do that any how. ana can
help it, And the only auction Is. what
sort Of light We shall shed, and what sort
of life we shall impart Inc tlale anu
intensity of the light Is not the measure
of its good; nor does the sharpness OF lhe
flavor approve the excellence or tle
salt Ambition and selfshness are we
things, however; trey snow themselves
whether on a jeWelled canuleSuch, or Oh
Tending i'm rich compound. Inc hoiy OH
that fed the lamps IN the sanctuary was
made up OF only the best, the purest; me
costliest elements: and the lamps shone
as the seven Spirits OF God; the sraCes
that make up the divine grace OF chdTll!'
The salt in its excellence Is the very spir-
II of God. But for the human race. the
necessity Of essential purity and goodness
is what most concerns US. AS the wise
man puts IL: Keep thy heart Win an
diligence. for out OF il are the issues OF
life Not quantity. but quality.
The clear shining Of pure character anu
the fragrance of honorable motives ue-
termine the light and influence of our
lives for Good or III: for JOY or sorrow.
The more we look TO motives. the less 10
effect" the better for US Loyalty 10
Heaven is the first principle OF lie.