Shadows

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jan 24, 1906

Shadows.—There are shadow men and shadow women. It is pitiable. The Shadow moves with the Substance. The Substance speaks, and the Shadow speaks. The Substance is silent, the Shadow is silent. The Substance wears a tall hat, the Shadow who looks grotesquely under such a covering, also wears it. The Substance wears a drab dress, and looks well; the Shadow, of an altogether different type, wears the same color, and looks anything but well. It is pitiable, not so much for the Substance as the Shadow. The Substance is independent, the Shadow is voluntarily dependent. The Substance is natural, the Shadow is artificial, and clearly so to every one but himself or herself. Such a course is rank idolatry, and death to all true, loyal, faithful, personal service to God. Do not be a shadow, even to God. He does not ask it. He does not wish it. It is His will that each one should be a burning and shining light, kindled from Him, fed by His life.