The record., 1912-04-11
The Light
ST
The World
By Rev. Stephen Paulson

TENT-And the Lord went before them
hy day in pillar of cloud to lead them
the way: and by night In a pillar OF fire
Go sive them lght.-ENodus 1879.
First want you To see the connection
between these two widely separated
texts The one is from the account
of the journey or Israel through
tie trackless wilderness; the sec
oud. Jesus spoke centuries later. as
he was present at the feast of taber-
racles in Jerusalem. The first verse
describes the customary way in olden
times. of leading large bodies OF men
on the march. whether caravans or
armies 4 tall pole was erected at
the head of the marching column. on
which was hung basket of fire. The
glare Of the fire was visible from every
part Of the camp at night, and in the
daytime the column or pillar of smoke
guided the movements of the host.
The only difference in the case OF the
1sraelites was that the Lord was
in the fire. and that he controlled and
VI AhN iNDt'N'
in the time of Jesus the Jews were
wont TO commemorate at the feast OF
the tabernacles, the time when they
were wanderers in the desert, and
God made provision for their susten-
ance and safety. They lit large lamps
or torches around the temple to SYM
bolize the pillar of fire. and then gave
themselves up to dancing and reyelry.
As Jesus stood in the temple area
and looked over the people he saw
that they needed guidance even more
than they did in the desert, and that
they needed light row just as much
as they needed the pillar of fire OF
old. These lights about the temple
were merely reminders Of past mercy
and possibly many OF the people had
even forgotten their significance: but
here was he, the Guide of all lives
Here was he. the Light OF all ages. Sc
he speaks. Il am the Light OF the
world" These words come down to
us out of the old Hebrew temple. and
they pierce The center of our modern
life.
Il am the Light of the world.
when the sun rose this morn
ing. IL found the world here in dark
ness. II was torpid, heavy with sleep
fits powers were all wrapped up In
sluggishness. The sun found the grea
world sleeping and woke 1t. II called
20 the dull birds and they sang thei
mathis: IL sent its light over the field.
and painted them in colors beyond thu
power of any artist 10 initiate; l
touched the flowers. and they opened
Eornirg: its rays entered the houses
rn6 M awoke and began TO mov'
shout their daily duties II was al
awakening, an energiZing. a renewal o
life. this mornings sunrise.
Even so IL was when the Light o
tie world rose upon mankind II mean
nn awakening new energy, renewa
nc; wfen Jesus cane into tn
40. g ;D. coming had a thousan
IL tgd ten thousand Unfit
,ch we are too dull TO apprs
c.-te md TOO short-sighted TO observe
Eu; we know that when the Ligh. c
the world came il meant a new er
l.. history. and We know that whe
Jesus comes into the human heart
means a new era in that mans lif,
Let us note one or two application
which these texts point out to us:
Gods reople of old were not led
O road already mapped out. The rout
was not chosen before they starte'
But step by step and day by day the
were led. and God chose the route.
rct Jesus the great Leader of his pc
pie. ard we have learnt a chief a
ticle of human wisdom If We ha,
learnt 10 leave tomorrow to hir
Step by step he leads us. The wa
may be dark and hidden from us, br
it is all light and plain TO him. for
is tie light.
As the pillar of fire was given
guide the host of Israel of old, so
Jesus the pillar Of light which guild,
the church today. Yes. he stands I
day in the midst of the host, maje
tic. dominating the centuries, leadiI
God
One evidence that the Light of Il
world is directing the movements
tLst the whole church Is becomil
awake TO lite duties and opportunitis
The Eight Of the morning wakes n
ONLY one class OF men. but all far al
n.sr. So the Light of the world
fcrG.ng his rays today into all hear
Great movements are sweeping ov
America today among the men of I
churches. They are realizing the fo
Of their own lethargy and indifferen,
and are waking to the new morni
and new days work. The hou,
wives have been astir long sin,
Woman's devotion to her Lord, a
hr self sacrificing labors. have be
oe of the glories OF the Christi
church from the beginning. And n,
a Master Is marshaling the men
the front.