The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-28

the air and blackening its environments;
All that beapeaks the badly trimmed
lamp. that makes itself eene-any
agreeable and does very poor ana UNI
satisfactory service. and makes al thii'sS
a little worse for the light II tnro"S o'
them
our Lord tells us that we must keep our
lons girded about. and our lights quiz
ing. and take oil i'm our vessels with our
lamps. and let our lights 80 shine a. 10
glorify the Father Of all.
Unluckily for mankind the majority
OF US are very poor and Indifferent
burners, unrroductive consumers VAST
ing oil. giving little or no hSnt
and doing maybe little more
harm than good. How many are there
that are veritable smoking lamps! Ihey
remind us Of old-fashioned tallow can
dles-a great big wick engrossed IN
great mass OF grease. Light them, ana
they no sooner begin 10 burn than they
begin TO smoke and they have TO b.
snuncd. Another thing they remind Us
Of Is gum log in the fireplace. You
may fairly cook il with shavings' they
will all fare up. and the old log VIII
burn for moment, because II can't help
-. but as soon az the shavings are con-
snmed the old thing turns black ana
goes on singing It's doloful song. . what
sad. unpleasant thn.s are these Jnoking
lamps and old gum logs. And yet they
Insist on being Just what they are ana
going on I'm their ways.
The trouble is We can't Identify these
unforiunatos end send them of 10 asy-
lums or set them by themselves. We arc
ali smoking lamps and gum logs some
time or other. oar Hvers don't act our
stomachs are out Of fix; neuralgia tskes
possession Of us; govt or rhcumatism
makes us ache in all our bones. muscles,
and joints; our blood is all muddy, and
our animal spirits have not particle
Of oxygen or ccmhustiblc material about
them. and we let ugly thoughts deyrcs5
us. and how I'm the world arc We 20 make
light or get ~ steam? All We can do
is 10 shoulder and smoke and simmer
our influence on others is 10 offend them
and bring tears in their eyes. We are
very POOR company, indeed, while we
complain and erowl and take gloomy
y.cgs Of things.
Il is an offence against mans own
self and his family and his friends 10
be a smoking lamp. and the sooner he
has himself repaired the better.
man of sense. who values life and
its privileges VIII hnd pretty soon that
they are 10 be had and enjoyed only with
a. wise keeping The philosophy Of Epi-
Gurus honored tho Creator i'm rightly csti-
mating the possibilities Of a wise cultiya-
ton Of the powers Of body and mind.
The EpicuresEls contemplated the best
results for personal enjoyment. Christi
anity coniemplates the highest and best
exercise and perfection and development
Of every power, faculty, and susceptible
~ Of our being. after its original design,
! N 10 % III no ~ he
Creator, TO His honor and glory; and
when everything works true and free.
Ike Il first-class steam engine, and law
Teigns the Kingdom Of God is come. 1t
is "A heaven upon earth to have a mans
mind move In Charity. rest in Provi-
dence, and turl upon the poles Of Truth"
Christianity ne(or allows the question.
Is life worth living. Its first great truth
IS that man IS divine and immortal IL
treats him as a light OF the world 10 be
trimmel, 10 be fed with the pure aud
fragrant oil OF life-giving truth, which
! he is TO take up into his being and thor
oughly consume. ana so let his light shine
10 brighten his surroundings and hsnor
the Almighty. Ii is a sin to wrap our
selves up and stinen and cankcr and
mortify And as for his mind and hesa>,
so for his physique The order covers
| both. Let your loins be eirded about, and
| your lights burning and whether We eat
or drink, or whatsoever ye do do all for
! the glory Of God.
The advances Of our age i'm wise ath-
| letics, IN physical cultivation in castro
nomy, I'm nina work. and heart-keaping.
all come out OF the Christian faith and its
| teachings, magnifying and charging the
old order: See that thou glorify Him in
thy body and in thy spirit, which are
| His.