The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE."*

WHEN traveller is treading his way
on dark and stormy night, how well
come to him are the bright rays OF light
coming from the homes along the road!
They bring to him cheer and thoughts
of the fellow beings who dwell beside
his path. So it is with us as we pass
along the highway of ite,-some in busy
city streets, and some in secluded coun-
try ways, but to everyone comes the
light of the lives we come in contact
with. Some shed such bright, glowing
rays upon US that we grow better and
happier. But now and then we come to
person who is like the deserted house
by the road-no light comes from them.
They live their own lives 80 selfishly
that they never give of their light, even
sparingly to others. 1t is to them, it
need be said, LET Your Light Shine"
Not but that there are none of us who
do so we'll that we can not do better We
can always find some new way to show
out our good thoughts and intentions.
If your life is full Of goodness and love
for others, you cannot totally obscure
your light for it will be like the sun hid
den under a cloud,-now and then we
catch q bright ray. But we are not only
commanded to practice good works. but
to show them forth plainly that every
one may see that we believe and do
good.
With the faith in truth and goodness,
and love of all our fellowmen in our
hearts, we should live such bright,
pleasant and helpful lives that all who
pass us in our life's journey may wish
for the inward goodness that brings forth
such light. 1t is not that we all must
have the same way to let our light shine
No, we have as many ways as we are peo-
pie, for our surroundings always influence
our lives more or lese. But we all have
many opportunities to be good, true fol-
lowers of Christ's Gospel and let his
light shine forth through our works.
AS the light from the lighthouse
tower goes out to the weary struggling
sailor and guides his ship safe to port,
so may our example be, if we but set
beautiful beacon of noble purpose in
life. Who can tell how many weary
ones may see our light or some CLEAN of
it, and it will help them to find the way
to a better course, for cur influence is
sometimes felt farther than we think
and for this reason Gf for no other we
should not give anything to our fellow
creatures that will cause them to swerve
turn backwards from the better way.
Ii we are to let our light SO shine be.
fore men as to glorify our Father which
is in heaven. we must look we'll to have
it always trimmed and burning.
We cannot do right today and wrong
tomorrow! 1t must be always right
today, tomorrow and every day, for only
by constant care and watchfulnees can
we keep our lives near the right when
80 many stand ready to dim our light
and blight our hopes with temptation
on all sides. No life can be so beautiful
as to give light to others without having
its brightness reflected on the giver So,
not for one reason. but for many, should
our examples be of the best. If we will
be faithful, we shall be blessed and give
Joy to those about US. And thus we may
Look forward hopefully to the evening of
life.
And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And silently pass away"
*Read before the Linesville, Pa, Y P.
G U. by Vida Sheakly.