Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-08
Photographs.
observations Of Philosophical Friend
Of Ours)

or OurS)
Hellographs are large mirrors get
on high and conspicuous places, as
on the tops of mountains or
hills. or lofty towers, that re-
feet the light Of the sun, and by that
means communicate messages afar Off.
They are grand things in themselves,
but grander still for their suggestions
and illustrations. Everything in the outer
world is n counterpart of something more
deeply concerning us. All nature is digni-
fled as the abode of the soul, the nursery
OF the immortal-as rejecting the light
and glory of God.
The apostle, referring 70 the great cha
racters and early writings of the Scrip
lures. says: Into which we do we'll that
We look as 10 lights in dark place"
The sun Of righteousness. arisen above
our horizon. has cast its beams away
hack into the past. In the place and hour
OF mans first disobedience, a divine
promise is Illuminated and responds TO
its light. The seed Of the woman shall
bruise the serpent's head. And the later
Adam al die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive And all along
in "the dark, backward, and abysm or
tirne' there shine, as lights I'm the world
the heroes OF faith, as divine photographs.
profane history has its great men and
demlgods and gods. But their brilliancy
ts of the earth earthly, Of the world world
Iv a phosphorescent light, from humanity
fallen and in ruins. Their light is not
our light. the eathen themselves being
Judges. Their fires are not fires for the
altar Of Heaven, but strange and I'M
natural. They are altogether different
from the photographs Of Scripture his
tory.
II is indeed a pleasant contemplation
and study TO pass along the divine ac-
count of man; the long ana weary way
leading from the depths Of woe to the
Grand elimination. Abel, EnOch, and
Noah. I'm life and character, in their
nature. shine I'm the light Of the LORD
our Righteousness. Our spectroscope re-
coenizes their light Of what kind II Is.
All the heroes Of faith mirror, as hello
qraphs. the light Of Jesus Of Nazareth.
Great incidents and events Of Scripture
history glitter and CLEAN under His light.
The ark that saved our race, the son
offered "A sacrifice on the Mount, the lad
der reaching from earth 20 Heaven
the passage Of jordan, Joshua
the leader and guide. the brazen serpent
David and Solomon, all lit up as types
OF the Prince of Peace; and after them
the grand flashes Of Isaiah and all the
prophets, glowing with greater and
greater brightness and distinctness as
the day approaches The great and won
derful ffty-third chapter mirrors the
whole life Of Christ in full daylight.
All nature is fun OF photographs, fror7
the dewdrop in the bosom OF the daisy,
TO the planet Jupiter, everything mir
rors the sunlight. And In our noontide
there IS no heart so great or so humble
mat does not. more or less. tell Of the
heavenly light that illumines IT. Only
some reflect is from their surface; others
receive It into their souls, and shine
Win a divine light and bri.liancy APP
nropriated as their own, at last to be
made I'D as jewels. The whole world
un6er the light OF Christ the Christian
era. is a Photograph (who knows how
farl sending its message abroad. In it
now the righteous shine as stars. In II
now the unworthy grope about; their
earth iron their heavens brass-im-
prisoned.
And we are all in particular mirrors
owing 10 earth and Heaven, the light
that is impaired 10 us. We know not
how far into what depths we. as hello
graphs. are sending out the light. The
order Is on us. Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good
works. and gorify your Father which is
In Heaven.