South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-09
PASTOR CALLS SIN
LACK OF HOLINESS
Rev. G. w. Allison Shows That
Christ Applied 1t to Him
self and Disciples.

AS darkness is not a thing in it
self, but only the absence Of liSnt,-
we may at least say with partial
truth, that sin is the lack Of holi-
ness" said Rev. George William
Allison in a sermon on The Light
Of the World" at Hope Presbyterian
chapel last evening. 1T adds TO our
interest in this theme" he con-
tinued "to know that Jesus chose
this phrase to describe himself and
also applied it to His own disciples"
The bible many times over
speaks Of the glories Of the heaven
~ bodies. sun, moon, and stars. but
it places much more emphasis upon
the benefits revealed in the light of
Jesus Christ. AS the eye cannot see
without light; so the soul without
holiness is blinded 70 virtue. God s
holiness is the sunlight of the soul.
In his light we shall see light The
man whose life is fun Of meanness,
vice, and sin is darkness indeed but
with the shining in OF the light Of
holiness he reflects goodness, purity,
and honesty. He becomes a beacon
light 10 man and a glory to God.
Christ Light of World.
''The Lord Christ referred TO Him
self as the light Of the world. And
we appreciate the aptness of the
figure. For His character and teach
ings illumine many a darkened way
OF life. dispelling the darkness of
sin and gloom; and lasting with un-
d!mmed splendor through the years
Our sun lightens and warns and
gives life 10 our planet and others
seemingly without APPARENT waste
and in processes that are not entire
~ understood. There is no shrink
age with Christ-but rather an in
crease! There is a glorious mystery
about light and vision. There is no
more significant fact than that Of
the increasing light of Christ in the
souls of men from semi-ChTistian-
lied American 10 darkest Africa.
But no matter how brilliant may
be the shining sun, there will be no
light upon the earth without re-
Electors Each tree, grain of sand,
blade of grass acts as a reflector Of
the suns rays. So no matter too,
how glorious may be the light of
Christ, without the rehecting-p power
of the Christian men and women we
should be without light. Jesus adj
dressed the disciples saying, 'Ye are
the light Of the world In order to
light a city at night. the power
from the electric generator is spread
throughout the city. 1t seems as
though God has scattered his dis
that those who dwell in darkness
may see a great light, each Chris
tian carrying his own candlepower
OF light into the darkness of sin to
ilumine gloomy ways with a ray Of
hope.
Church a Light House.
Another figure OCCURS here too;
that is thinking of the church as a
Single candle-pOwer
lights scattered along the shore OF
a rocky coast would avail little. But
by combining lights there is the add
ed advantage of concentration and
power. Every Christian
should be there with his added
TO add TO the light
that may lead another from the
darkness of sin. A Christian living
at a distance from church said, I
am still as much a Christian as
ever. though l do not attend your
lie had missed a vital
point: his Hfe-his light-added
nrshing 10 the brilliancy OF the light
to guide LIES mariners from the
rocks of sin. He did not count in
the winning of the world!
"A minister once visited a mem
Der of his parish who attended very
the services of the
church. Few words were spOkes.
Before them burned a grate-fre,
with glowing Goals. Carefully Sc
lecting a bright live coal the min
.ster placed it upon the hearth apart
from the rest. Gradually its light
dimmed. ana finally died out. y
whole sermon on light and Chris
.ian duty with reference TO the as
sembling of themselves together
which Paul advised was forcibly
preached by that dying ember.
And further, though your life
may not be brilliant though your
powers or abilities be few and poor.
Use that You have Let not your
light be darkness. Remember that
even a smoking flax will He not
that your slow-burn-
ing life may. under the tanning of
the Spirit of God. grow to great
power and light and usefulness in
the service Of the Kingdom How
far that little candle throws its
beams, said Shakespeare. SO shines
a good deed in a naughty world.
Bring your light from under its
bushel that IL may light those who
are in the house; put il on its
candle-stick and let its gleam dispel
the gloom OF sin. Men seeing your
eood works. may take heart and
also glorify God-the great glory Of
whom constitutes shekinah,-'the
great shining May Gods Spirit
again move over the face OF the
deeps Of sin. and His voice speak
the great creative act Let there be
light.