The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-24
inspired utterance; by which God IN
times past spake unto the fathers by

inspired rtterance; by which God IN
times past spakc unto the fathers by
the prophets.
ferent term from that which Is applied
in Scripture to Christ Himself. tits
a "light"-or rather, a lamp shining
in dark (murky or squald) place.
Not the light OF day, nor the light OF
the sun, but the lamp, which is It's
substitute during the hours OF twilight
and darkness. So 1t was with the
prophets generally. Their lamp Is to
point the way to Christ Himself, the
true Light.
The first coming OF Christ did not
close the work OF the Old Testament
Scriptures Writing many years after
, that first coming, Peter urges them
ito take heed" to the prophetic word.
He fixes limit tbut not past llmit)
to the use of the Holy Scriptures
until the day dawn and the day-star
arise In your hearts," Till Christ is
found there. till His bright light Is
seen and felt within; till the heart
rests and is satisfied In the revelation
of Christ. Has this day dawned and
the day-star arisen in your heart?
When we would begin to define IN
SEPARATION we are lost, in many per-
picking questions. We may easily lose
ourselves in the bypaths whichssdi-
verge on the one side and the other
OF the plain highway OF truth. The
Bible lies unread, Wills men quarrel
over It; and when 1t Is next opened
1t is not as an oracle OF God. but as
thing soiled, spoiled and desecrated
by treatment most opposite to its
origin and purpose
Suspend all these questions until you
really know and love your Bible; until
by its help the day dawns and the
day-star arise in your heart Let us.
resolve tevery one Of us) not to sit
in Judgment upon that Word which is
to Judge us, but rather, let It reveal
itself until 1t leads us into the paths
of peace.
We are told plainly our duty OF Civ
ing heed to Holy Scripture. Perhaps
we imagine that we do. In the days
OF education 1t was our textbook; in
our public service we hear 1t read;
on Gods holy day most families have
1t open. What lack we yet? But II
we never take the pains to read 1t
for ourself? If we count it alone OF
all books to need no patient study?
What IL we think we already know
it all and never bend our knees in
meditation over 1t to that God who
caused 1t to be written by holy men
of old for our learning? Them that
honor not His Word, God doth not
honor.
None will deny that there are pecu-
liar difficulties in the way OF this
study 1mpatience and s!oth, as well
as the archenemy.. all combine to keep
us from 1t. And, therefore. SO man.
live practically without Bible.
And yet ito whom else shall we
go"2 Who. save Christ, even pro-
fesses to have for us the words OF
eternal life?
1t is "a lamp shining in dark
place" Such is this world OF ours,
full of phantoms and shadows. Of
| nightly dreams and waking visions:
50 empty of solid joys, OF heart-deep
comforts, OF permanent satisfaction.
Gods Word is a lamp, not the sun,
nor the bright noon; not even the real
and sober dawn. 1t is a lamp. and by
It's aid we pore over the map of life,
and try to prepare ourselves for the
future. BY its aid we study our
selves, see in example what we are;
see in precept what we ought to be;
see in warning what we ought to
shun: see in. promise what we must
desire. It teaches us. most OF all, the
character of God. the work OF Christ
and the office OF the Holy Spirit.
We are thankful for the lamp and
the light 1t affords. but to continue
to live by candlelight were but half
of being. The lamp shines on in our
dark places 'until'-
Until the day dawn. ana thu day.
star rise in our hearts,"
When He that shall come Is come
and no longer tarries, then shall the
lamp fade away Of itself before the
brightness of His presence. and He
who has spoken to us In His word
shall reveal Himself face to face in
glory.
Home is magnificent place." says