Light and Gladness by George Wright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1862

Light and Gladness.

By George Wright

It is recorded by the sweet singer of Israel, in Ps. xcvii, 11, that "light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Again, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Interspersed throughout God's blessed book, are exceeding great and precious promises. These are surrounded by a halo of light and glory. And what is the design of all these? Let Peter answer: "That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Pet. i, 4. Then follows that sum in Christian addition: "Giving all diligence, add to your faith, courage [Macknight], and to courage, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control [Whiting, and Wakefield], and to self-control, patience, and to patience, piety [Sawyer], and to piety, affection [Wakefield], and to affection, universal love [Wakefield]. How beautiful is this catalogue of Christian graces. Surely light is sown for the righteous like autumn leaves. Happy they who have these graces,

"Planted, growing in the mind."

The following which was related in my hearing from an authentic source will be in point here. A pious boy sat by the wayside reading. A proud infidel passing accosted him thus:

What are you reading my boy?

The Bible sir.

How do you know it is the Bible?

(Pointing to the sun), What is that?

The sun.

How do you know?

I see its light and feel its warmth.

Well, I know this is the book of God, for I see its light and feel its warmth.

The infidel was silenced. Is not this the experience of every child of God, who searches for the truth as for hidden treasures? For one I can say with all my heart with David, "The entrance of thy words giveth light."

"If the way to heaven," says Bishop Beveridge, "is narrow, it is not long, and if the gate be straight, it opens into endless life." Yes, praise the Lord, the prospect brightens as we draw nearer home. How sweet the words of the poet,

"The road may be rough but it cannot be long, I'll smooth it with hope and I'll cheer it with song."

The sure word of prophecy assures us that this long dark night of sin and woe and death is almost past. The day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Rom. xiii, 12. Press together. Watch over each other for good. Provoke unto love and good works. Says the beloved disciple, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light. "Awake," says inspiration, "thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." "How stands the case with me?" should be the earnest inquiry of every heart in this truly solemn time. Am I walking in the light, as He is in the light? Have I a tender affection for my brother in the Lord? Am I living and letting my light shine so that others are being led to glorify our Father in heaven? Has the blood of Jesus cleansed me from all sin?

These are times which try men's souls, and perils are thickening fast, and none will be able to stand but those who have God for their refuge, and their feet firmly planted upon the rock Christ Jesus. Let every man prove his own work. Then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another. Gal. vi, 4.

"Let your lamps be burning bright, In God's word is beaming light, Live by faith and not by sight, Crowns are your reward."

GEORGE WRIGHT.

Lapeer, Mich.