LIGHTS IN THE WORLD by Lephia May Bryant

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1900

LIGHTS IN THE WORLD.

By Lephia May Bryant

LEPHIA MAY BRYANT.

(Aberdeen, Wash.)

I WALKED through the town one evening, And saw the brilliant glare Of the lights that lure men's souls from God, To the depths of black despair. I heard the barkeeper's words of cheer As he greeted Robert and Clem; And the very best cigars and beer Were none too good for them. Oh, the glittering barroom lights! How they sparkle and shimmer and glow! How warm is the fire these chilly nights! Does it ever burn dim and low?

Then Satan whispered in both my ears: “Though often quenched with woman's tears, I've kept those fires a great many years; They seldom burn low,—no, no!— They seldom burn low.”

I walked through the town one evening, To the steepled house where prayer Is made in Christ's name to the Father. But few were kneeling there; And they prayed without the Spirit, Their words lacked the ring of faith; They thought to win souls for Jesus, While they themselves played with death.

And as I pondered the reason for this, I heard this word, with an evil hiss: “You think too much of me and my ways; There are few really faithful these last days. Your lights are dim, and your fires are low; While the young need a cheerful welcome, you know; Your far-fetched sermons freeze ardent youth, And harden their hearts to the gospel truth. You are tinkling cymbals, do you not see?— And then, ha! ha! they turn quickly to me. I stir them up swiftly to evil deeds, While you go on sowing your careless seeds.”

Alas and alas! it is so, it is so! May our dear Heavenly Father forgive; And revive in each heart the warm spiritual glow By which alone our souls may live. Let us give of our very best to God,— Best word, best thought, best deed,— Let us walk in the path that Jesus trod, And sow true gospel seed. Let us keep our lamps brighter than Satan's lamps, Let us feed on the holy Word, Till we feel the heart-throb of the Saviour's love, And become like our blessed Lord.