Hold Your Lights Up by Eugene B. Willard

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

Hold Your Lights Up

By Eugene B. Willard

COMPTON, the well-known missionary, was on his way to India. The great steamer was plowing its way through the sea. Not feeling well, he was about to retire for the night when he heard the cry, “Man overboard.” His first impulse was to rush upon deck and try to rescue him. But then he reflected that he might be in the way, and no doubt the seamen would render all possible assistance. But wasn’t there something he could do? He could at least try. So he took his little lamp and held it close to the little window, which on account of its appearance, is known as “the bull’s eye.” Soon Compton heard the joyful cry, “Saved.” The next morning he was told that his little light, shining through that little window, was the means of the man’s rescue. It came at the right time, and was in the right place. It showed the sailors just where to throw the life-line, and enable the perishing man to grasp it as it came near him. All the efforts of those seamen would have been useless, and all the attempts of the drowning man would have been of no avail, if it had not been for Compton’s holding his light up. Reader, multitudes are drifting on the sea of time. They are in terrible danger. They are in danger of utter destruction unless you hold your lights up so that they can shine to save them. O, hold your lights up and try to save souls from perishing in sin! Don’t delay.—Eugene B. Willard.