PREFACE.

will gladly receive a greater supply; but those kind friends will do well to remember that it would greatly add to the value of such articles, if, in some instances, greater brevity were studied, and they were not delayed, as frequently is the case, till so nearly the close of the month.

Another difficulty arises, occasionally, from the impossibility of reconciling the claims of personal friendship with a sense of public duty. An Editor is sometimes in danger of sacrificing the interests of the public, or of appearing to be ungenerous and harsh towards individuals whose friendship he highly values. This applies, not only to the Review department, but also to other matters of interest and importance to some. In all such cases the candour and confidence of our correspondents are earnestly solicited, while the right to determine on the course to be pursued must be conceded to the Editors. Nor is the Essay department without its difficulties. Short and lively pieces are much more acceptable to the generality of readers than long disquisitions, however good. It is, however, earnestly hoped that the general character of the Essays during the year may be regarded as a pledge of future spiritual and ably written articles.

It is regretted that some intelligence of a permanently interesting character has appeared but on the covers. Necessity has compelled this, but an alteration is contemplated, which would secure the insertion of such communications in the body of the work. This, however, will require the continued and increased exertions of our friends in extending our circulation, for which, also, we are greatly encouraged to hope, during the ensuing year.

THE EDITORS.

November 21st, 1866.

THE

Gospel Herald.

ARISE, SHINE!

A MOTTO FOR THE NEW YEAR.

BY ROBERT EDWARD SEARS, LAXFIELD, SUFFOLK.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."-ISAIAH lx, 1.

"Oh, happy period! Blessed, holy light!

Would that our eyes might see, our ears might hear,

Its kindling rays dispel the gloomy night;

Would that the good time coming might be near!

Our eyes are straining for it evermore;

Our hearts have ceased not for its dawn to pray;
Oh, that the hours of darkness were but o'er!

Oh, that the reign of light would not delay!"

In

"But the

LET us contemplate the glorious Light. "Thy light is come." these words there is an evident reference to the Lord himself. Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (ver. 2.) God is often called Light. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Satan is called the Prince of Darkness. His works are discovered by heavenly light: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light." The light that discovers darkness also delivers from it: "Shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Light is an emblem of purity and holiness. "In it there neither is, nor can be, mixture or pollution. Its property repels defilement: snow is brilliant-no whiteness can surpass it, but man's step mars it; water sparkles brightly from its spring, but man's hand can soil it. But none can make light's purity less pure." Light is an emblem of truth and happiness. Heaven is called "the inheritance of the saints in light." The saints are children of light. The Bible is a light: "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." The gospel is light: "Send out thy light and thy truth."

The Lord Jesus Christ is a Light: "I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light JANUARY, 1866.

VOL. XXXV.

of life." Christ is the Light of nature, the Light of the Bible, the Light of the gospel, the Light of the promises, the Light of the Church, and the Light of heaven. "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Rev. xxi, 23.) In the 84th Psalm, Christ is called a sun, and a shield. In Malachi the promise is, "Unto you that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise, with healing in his wings." When Zachariah's mouth was opened, he spake concerning Christ, saying, "Through the tender mercy of God: whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace." (Luke i, 78, 79.)

The sun is a beautiful emblem of Christ. It is one of the greatest blessings of nature. There are many things we could do without, but who could live without the sun? Christ is above all others. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

There is but one sun to give light to our world; and there is only one Christ, the Saviour of sinners. The sun shines upon all, and the gospel is to be preached to every creature. The sun is a great light, and everything about Christ is great. "He shall be great.”

The sun communicates light to other bodies; so that though they are dark in themselves, they give light to others. John the Baptist was a burning and shining light; but the light all came from Christ. Paul was a great light; but he exclaims, "By the grace of God I am what I am." What a dark world this would be without the sun; darker still would our souls be without Christ. The sun rises gradually, and mightily. In like manner does Christ rise upon the soul. Who can stay the course of the sun? Who can hinder the work of grace in a sinner's heart? "The path of the just is like the shining light; it shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

The sun holds no fellowship with the darkness, but scatters it. So Christ will scatter all sin and error. Although the sun has been shining for thousands of years, it is as full of light as ever. It shines forth in all the strength of its youth. Christ is for ever full of grace and truth.

The sun

The sun often brings gladness to the mind: "It is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the sun." Christ brings peace into the soul. swallows up the glory of all the lesser lights. Christ is above all others; there is in Him a "glory that excelleth." The sun gives forth its enlightening, healing beams freely. Salvation by Jesus is free,-free as the light that surrounds us, free as the air we breathe, free as the water we drink, All along the pathway to glory we read, "Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. How truthfully is this expressed by a modern writer: "Plead misery, and take mercy; bewail darkness, and He will give you light. All who bask in his joyous rays, are one in this testimony: each sings, "my treasure is a freegrace gift; he loved me, because he would love me; he called me, because he would call me; he blessed me, because he would bless me; he saved me, because he would save me; he shone into my soul, because he would shine. When I was darkness he said, 'Let there be light;' and there was light; and that light was himself."

ARISE, SHINE.

Believer in Jesus, hearken to the voice of your Lord,-" ARISE, SHINE." This is not an exhortation to the sinner, but to the saint; not to the dead, but to the living. It is not an exhortation to obtain a blessing, but to shew forth the praises of him who hath blessed. It does not say, Arise, shine; and thy light will come: but, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come."

As scripture best explains scripture, I shall refer you to several portions of the Word to illustrate the meaning of the command, "Arise, shine." First. It means, cast off thy sloth. "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. v, 14.) A living preacher once said, "Sleepy Christian, let me shout in thine ears; thou art sleeping while souls are being lost; sleeping, while men are being damned; sleeping, while hell is being peopled; sleeping, while Christ is being dishonoured; sleeping, while the devil is grinning at thy sleepy face; sleeping, while demons are dancing round thy slumbering carcass, and all hell is mocking, because a Christian is asleep." Let us not sleep as do others; but, "Arise, shine; for our light is come."

Second. "Arise, shine," means, come out from an ungodly world. "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." (Solomon's Song ii, 13.) Christian, if you would shine, you must take up your cross and follow Jesus. The nearer we can keep to the Master, the brighter will our religion shine. Religion does not shine in the professor who can talk for half an hour to sell his goods, but cannot speak five minutes for Christ. Religion does not shine in the man who can rise early and work for himself, but who, if asked to lend a helping hand in the Lord's work, is backward and full of excuses. Religion does not shine in the professor with the "muck rake" in his hand, or when he takes pleasure in worldly company. Christian, come out from the world," Arise, shine!"

Third. "Arise, shine," means, cast aside all creature trust, and believe in the Lord's free Redemption. "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.” (Isa. lii, 1, 2.)

Fourth. 66 Arise, shine" will include this counsel, pray more earnestly. "Arise, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water." (Lam. ii, 19.) Christian, God is calling you to the throne of grace. Pray without ceasing until the promised blessing is given. Never neglect prayer-meetings. Arise, shine; and shew that you love Zion.

Fifth. "Arise, shine" points to victory over Satan. "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." (Micah vii, 8.)

Sixth. "Arise, shine" involves obedience to the commands of Christ, "Arise, and be baptized, and walk in his ordinances blameless: be zealous of good works. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. v, 16.) Seventh. "Arise, shine; praise the Lord. "Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song; arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam." (Judges v, 12.)

ARISE, SHINE; FOR THY LIGHT IS COME.