MIND THE LIGHT

Samuel J. Levick

Levick, Samuel J. Life of Samuel J. Levick, Late of the City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: William H. Pile's Sons, 1896, pages 243-245.

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Whatever makes manifest or plain, is Light. God is represented as Light; therefore, the Word itself represents God. "God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all." Every measure of Light is that much from God. Then let none reject these rays as they co me to them. The child receives them through the parent and through everything which he sees or hears that is good, even from the pages of a book. These varieties of Light may properly be called reflected Light, just as the moon, which to us appear s luminous, reflects the light of the sun. This reflected Light makes many things appear measurably plain by removing a portion of the darkness and lighting up what would otherwise be obscure.

We know that, as human beings, our first condition is the darkness of ignorance. We come into the world ignorant, and it is only as the Light dawns upon our understanding, that we begin to comprehend natural things. This is the twilight of our childhood. Then the reflected Light from our parents, our teachers, our books, and whatever other influences for good may be around us, is sufficient for us to walk by until the direct Light begins to dawn upon our spiritual understanding. This last is "The true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." It should be every man's duty to seek to know, and, knowing, to obey this law.</ i> It is given to a man just as plainly as a parent makes known his will or law to his child, and it is especially adapted to our present want. It should be the purpose of every son of God, every one who has experienced the new birth, to bear witness to his (spiritually) younger brethren of the importance of hearkening unto and obeying the voice of God, so that they may live in the enjoyment of all the good things of the Father's house, and by keeping in that safe habitation, without even the desire to wander away, they may know what it is to enjoy the Father's presence in their youth, their manhood, and their old age. This is the nearest approach that can be made to heaven while in this state of being, and the only linlit to the measure of our enjoyme nt will be our capacity to receive it.

It is time to have religion sifted from all the rubbish with which it has been covered by designing, selfish men whose interest lies in keeping it thus covered. If it were presented in its true light and made to appear just what it is, there would be many more than there now are who would embrace it, and it would also be found that many, very many, have it without knowing what they possess; so different is the treasure occupying a secret place in their hearts from that which is described in learn ed disquisitions upon religion.

If we are honest in our profession, and sure of the possession of this treasure, we shall want all others to enjoy it with us. We shall desire to keep nothing back that might be of benefit to them, but - as we may feel commissioned to do so - we will say unto the people, far and near, "Mind that which makes manifest, for that is Light."

SAMUEL J. LEVICK.

No Date.