And remember, candles are not lit to be looked at.  Candles are lit that something else may be seen by them.  Men may see God through your words, through your conduct, who never would have beheld Him otherwise, because His beams are too bright for their dim eyes.  And it is an awful thing to think that the world always—­always—­takes its conception of Christianity from the Church, and neither from the Bible nor from Christ; and that it is you and your like, you inconsistent Christians, you people that say your sins are forgiven and yet are doing the old sins day by day which you say are pardoned, you low-toned, unpraying, worldly Christian men, who have no elevation of character and no self-restraint of life and no purity of conduct above the men in your own profession and in your own circumstances all round you—­it is you that are hindering the coming of Christ’s Kingdom, it is you that are the standing disgraces of the Church, and the weaknesses and diseases of Christendom.  I speak strongly, not half as strongly as the facts of the case would warrant; but I lay it upon all your consciences as professing Christian people to see to it that no longer your frivolities, or doubtful commercial practices, or low, unspiritual tone of life, your self-indulgence in household arrangements, and a dozen other things that I might name—­that no longer do they mar the clearness of your testimony for your Master, and disturb with envious streaks of darkness the light that shines from His followers.

How effectual such a witness may be none who have not seen its power can suppose.  Example does tell.  A holy life curbs evil, ashamed to show itself in that pure presence.  A good man or woman reveals the ugliness of evil by showing the beauty of holiness.  More converts would be made by a Christ-like Church than by many sermons.  Oh! if you professing Christians knew your power and would use it, if you would come closer to Christ, and catch more of the light from His face, you might walk among men like very angels, and at your bright presence darkness would flee away, ignorance would grow wise, impurity be abashed, and sorrow comforted.

Be not content, I pray you, till your own hearts are fully illumined by Christ, having no part dark—­and then live as remembering that you have been made light that you may shine.  ’Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’

THE NEW FORM OF THE OLD LAW

’Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:  but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great