Article January 30, 1904 Issue

Thy Word is a Lamp

BLANCHE H. HOGUE.

In the translation of the New Testament by Joseph B. Rotherham, the text in the eleventh chapter of Luke reads, "No one, having lit a lamp, puts it into a covered place, neither under a measure; but in the lamp-stand, that those who enter may see the light. Be looking to it, therefore, lest the light which is in thee is darkness. If therefore, thy whole body is lighted up, not having any part darkened, the whole shall be lighted, as whensoever the lamp with its radiance may be giving thee light."

This translation emphasizes the characteristic simplicity of illustration which Jesus used in making his appeal to the hearts of those about him. Clear comparison, dealing with the familiar things of every-day life, brought home to the men of his time the great lessons which have since become the standard for all Christendom. In this household picture, the central figure is the lamp "upon the lampstand." The mission of the lamp is to reveal the presence of the surrounding objects. Without its light, these objects are hidden in darkness, but in the illumination of its rays, they are brought clearly into view. And Jesus tells us that this service to the household can best be performed when the lamp is given a prominent place in the room. The presence and position of the lamp is a matter of relationship to everything else in the household, and the more intelligently right relationship is established and maintained, the more clearly "the whole shall be lighted up."

He who thoughtfully entertains this illustration, will perceive that his own highest knowledge of good enlightens the household of his thoughts, as the shining lamp lends its light to all about it. His highest idea of righteousness bears to his lesser ideas the same relationship which the little lamp of olden time bore to adjacent objects. The purest ideal, by its own shining, makes known the presence of all the thoughts which throng about it, disclosing their position and revealing their true nature.

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