The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-23
REFERENCE TO CHRISTIANS AS
1.-THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT"
The Reverend Samuel J. NiccOlls
Interprets the Meaning of
paui's Elaboration.

The Reverend Samuel J. Niccolls. DID.
Ii. D., pastor Of Second PreScyteriiu
Church. preached yesterday morning on
TIE theme, IRE Children of Light and
based his discourse on Pduls letter TO the
Ephesian Church. verse s: For ye were
sometime darkness. but now are ye light
IL the Lord, walk as children OF light.
Eph- V. s. lie sad. in part:
This Is one Of those striking directions
with reference to Christian conduct, in
which Pau!'s letters abound. 1t is as con-
deEsed as a diamond. and II sparkles like
one; .ye are light in the Lord; walk as the
children of llGht The exhortauon Is not
more pertinent and forcible in its doctrine.
than II Is beautiful in form. 1t Is so brief
and simple that a child can ready grasp
and retain II in mind. and vet there are
Volumes CT meaning in it. 1t is so cOmpre-
hensive that 1t covers the whole range Of
Christian living. There is in il. first OF all.
q reminder Of the most important change
that can ever take place N a mans life.
his Transformation from a natural into, a
spiritual man, from darkness 10 hSht;
from spiritual death 10 spiritual
life. The apostle writes: 'Ye We're
once darkness, hut now are ye light in the
gins to see and estimate all things in the
light of Jesus Christ. 1t is as a dawn Of a
the true nature Of sin and its
joys, and he begins to realize the
worth and dignity OF a life according to
Gods purpose. He sees the claims OF right
eousness and truth: the beauty of holiness.
and the greatness of the life TO come. Old
things have passed away: behold. all
things have become new 1t is as though
the sun had risen. dispeiling the doubts.
fears, gloom and terTors of night. and re-
vealIng a world of beauty. hope and JOY.
But upon all to whom has come this il
Illumination of soul from Jesus Christ. there
rests q corresponding oblgation-they must
Walk as children OF the light. Paul does not
mean to teach that Christians must walk
Ike the children of light; that is. be imi-
tators OF others who are the children Of
light. He means that they themselves 2re
the children OF light, and they must walk
in accordance with their nature and par
l~aa@- A[, 49, Ill --gvL b. ~
French proverh. 'nobiesse oblige'; that Is,
high rank cOnfers corresponding obliga-
tons. A man of exalted position ought to
live worthy of IT.. This is what the text
teaches; you are the children of light; live
worthy OF your. station
ITO walk a. children of light means that
we must live in holiness of life. Light is, in
all languages. the symbol of purity. 1t
touches and ministers to all things in its
mated by none. II remains pure and in
cOrrup:ible. II mingles with nothing con-
trary 20 its own nature. Holiness. which is
moral perfection. is Ike light. 1t reveals
evil. showing all of its loathsomeneSs and
dcadliness. but at the same time it can hav5
no fellowship with it. The children of light
all things in his light can have no fellow
ship with the works of darkness. Whatev-
hateful and loathsoEe. Every one that do
eth evil hatch light, nor cometh he to the
light, lest his deeds should be made mani
fest. There is an antagonism between evil
and natural light; men feel freer to COM
nit wrong in the darkness.
"Walking as children of light means liv-
ing a happy and cheerful life. Light Is as
truly the emblem of joy as it Is of purity.
There is a gladness about 1t which is in
as with a song of praise; its presence illu-
inmates and g%lorities the world, and all
things rejoice in II.
There is much in natures darkness and
in the night Of sin and unbelief to psrpleX.
sadden and terrify us. TIL mystery of suf-
fering the sense OF guilt that abides with
US, the fear Of the future and the appre-
hension of coming judgment, the seeming
failure of life and the universal power of
death; all these are things upon which We
need light. How great the relief brought
US by the revelation of Jesus Christ and
his crossi We see sin atoned for and freely
forgiven; the awful condemnation of the
broken law is taken away God is in
of a father. and it Is manifested to US in
such a boundless and amazing way that
our hearts are filled with adoring wonder
as well as deepest joy.
I'VE sometimes hear men say that they
cannot afford to indulge In certain pleas
ures. innocent and refreshing though they
are, because they have not sufficient re
sources at their Their capital Is I
limited. their income scanty, and so they
cannot enjoy themselves as others to whom
God in his providence has granted vast
wealth. But there is not a single child of
God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ, who
cannot afford to be happy: He need not be
Strengthened as to supplies. Believe me.
my brothers II you would only lift up your
eyes and see what you have bestowed
upon you by Christ; you can well afford TO
rejoice and live cheerfully. even in the
midst of the limitations of your earthly lot.
Live up TO your privileges, and SO honor
your Lord. You are not walking as chill
dren of light IL you suffer yourselves to
live in gloom and sorrow. and are utter
ing lamentations instead of songs of praise. !
Paul wrote to believers; who had little of
midst of many fluctuations. saying. Re
3oice in. the Lord always: and again / say,