The Perfect Mirror by J. F. Case

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1857

The Perfect Mirror.

By J. F. Case

OUR Saviour used comparisons, when he wished to enforce obedience, or to teach any important doctrine. So did Paul and other apostles; and by a careful examination of the Scriptures it will be seen that there are many beautiful ideas presented by metaphoric language, that otherwise must have remained buried up, and it has well been said that an illustration that may be given in five minutes, is many times worth a discourse of two hours in length. Then if our Saviour used comparisons, and the truth can be presented clearer, why may not we use them?

While reflecting upon the Christian's journey, and the language of the Bible, I have compared a Christian to a man that has been riding all day after a spirited team over a muddy road. As he stops towards night, he enters a large room, at the farther end of which hangs a large mirror; and as he approaches it he discovers that he is covered with mud from head to foot. He steps in dismay, well knowing that he is not in a condition to be ushered into the company of those that are awaiting him. He cannot go back; for that is impossible, as he has come a long distance, and the time is drawing near for him to be ushered into, it may be, the presence of the king. What shall he do? Perhaps it is the first time that he ever beheld a perfect mirror. He soon, however, resolves what to do. Accordingly he begins to rub off the mud. As he nears the mirror he gets a better view of himself, and he is thus enabled to make better progress.

So with the Christian. While he is yet a sinner, and without hope in Christ, he is traveling the miry road of life. Suddenly, however, he comes to a full stop. His attention is arrested by the perfect law of liberty. Ps. xix, 7; James ii, 12. He beholds himself a sinner, condemned before God; "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. iii, 19, 20. And sooner or later he must stand to be judged, knowing that the conclusion of the whole matter is to fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Eccl. xii, 13, 14.

What shall he do? There is no escape; for his condemnation is just. Soon however he decides what to do. Salvation is held out to him through faith in the Messiah. He accepts the offer. Then he hears the Apostle saying, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." Jas. i, 23, 24.

The man then has found that the law is the perfect mirror, and that its great reflector is the Spirit [2 Cor. iii, 3] which he receives by the hearing of faith. Gal. iii, 2. He also learns by the scripture already quoted from James that if he does not obey he is like the man that after beholding his face in the glass, goes his way and forgetteth what manner of person he is; therefore he is enabled to comprehend what James means when he says, "Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his doing." Margin. Jas. i, 25. Yea, he learns from day to day, by experience, that "the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever, the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honey comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned! and in keeping of them there is great reward." Ps. xix, 7-11.

But on the other hand he learns that if he departs from the commandments of the Lord, he is as the man,

that after he had looked in the mirror and found that he was covered with mud, turns away from the mirror and forgets what manner of person he was. If the Christian continues to walk in the path of duty, increasing light will shine on his pathway until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in his heart; and thus he is enabled better to put away his sins.

J. F. CASE.