The Alaska citizen., 1915-07-12
6 q . . . q (, c . . . o . The WORLD, THE LAMP, CHRIST
 IAN INFLUENCE

... Even so let your light shine. Matt. 5;14. l5. 16.
 Here We have three interesting sentences. The first contains a metaphor, the second a fact and the third a simile. The sun floods the world with light. The lamp gives light sufficient for a room. Christ ian influence should individually be sufficient for the home and collec lively abundant for the world. Christ takes the greater light and reasons to the lesser We need have little fear of the sun going out, about as much fear as We have that the Light will pass away. There ls much fear Of the lamp going out become dark part of the 24 hours of the day. The sun is necessary and the lighted lamp has it's uses. Each in his own sphere.
 The Master views influence from two viewpoints. The first is the position of importance. The sun is the great thing in the world, as influence is the big thing in life. The second is the condition which makes possible influence. The sun drives away the darkness of night, and also the lamp in his little corner of room. Christ is the great in fluence for good and the sun is d fitting simile for His abounding good to all. The lamp is used with abun- dant effect for driving the darkness from our dwellings and il is a fit ting simile for the Christians in fluence. While the influence of the Christian is to be the light of the world, it shines more as does the light in the room.
 The lamp to have influence must have being. Indeed it has a base, bowl, and numerous other parts. It may be costly or inexpensive. The framework is not the most
 
 place in the lamps shining. The Christian has a body from which emanates Christian influence. It is not possible to accomplish such re suits without the tlse of the body. All members of 'ne body are nee essary, for the thought uncXpreSsed tFbriSfia@ who i, shining much thinks of his body. "I beseech you, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies.
 A lamp that would give light must have oil The supply of oil must be frequently replenished. If he would shine he must have Truth ly renewed. The mind digs deep into the Truth and gives forth in fluences of Truth. The mind fed upon lies gives forth the influence of lies. Whatever be the amount of Truth the mind may grasp there is always more Truth, and the sup ply for any other man is not di- unfinished thereby
 A lamp that would give light must have a flame. The flame is not the lamp nor is it the wick. The lamp may be ever so beautiful and costly and be useless. It is the flame that makes the light and emanates the ;,,Y J,, h., .i,,; lI flame is character, neither the mind nor Truth. The influence of any man is that which burns within. In the world of material things knowledge is power, but in the realm of relig- ion the life-character is power.
 lamp to produce influence must d lamp" To be man one must have life. To be a lamp there must be flame. The frame of the lamp wears and the oil is consumed. The body of the man must be used to- gether with Truth to produce char acter. The flame is like neither oil nor WICK. CHdIdcltI IS like uel ther body nor Truth.
 Without flame there is no Chris tian influence. The life of man needs to be lighted even as a lamp A mans brain as such is on pal with his liver. The one secretes bile, the other secretes thoughts Gods word to some is but paper and ink bound in morocco, but tC the Christian it is that which lights the Truth within and causes him to burst forth in flame, which flame gives light unto all that are in the house." Christian influence is power, due to fire from without "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire"
 There is something indefinable and immeasurable about the light of the lamp. The other parts are easily known. The finger is placed in the flame but the flame can neither be weighed nor measured. Men do no know what the light is. So witt Christian character. You know it wheI you see it but you are unable tt tell what you see. It must be ex perience.