MAKING LIGHT OF THINGS

New Zealand Tablet, 24 September 1908, Page 37

MAKING LIGHT OF THINGS

There are things which it were well if we could all make light of them. There are- those petty, carping words of criticism which are continually flying through the air, which, like a snapping, snarling cur at our heels, are a source of much annoyance. Why should we permit our sun to be darkened by the unwarrantable criticisms of those who lack the elements of the true gentleman or gentlewoman? ' Think, sir,' said Samuel Johnson to a worrying friend, ' how infinitely little that will seem a twelvemonth hence ' And the Christian may well extend the Vision farther: Think, sir, how infinitely little our "light affliction which is but for a moment," will appear in the light of " the eternal weight of glory.' " There -is a light-heartedness which js, perfectly consistent, with true Christian thinking and living

In the words of another, 'I do not wish you to be dull. I want your sky to be as bright as heaven. But as you have a life to hve, and as you have a death to die, do not make -light of the great things of the soul. Do not make light of duty. Do not make light of purity. Do - not make light of sin. Do not makevlight of now.. Above all, in all, through all; do not make light of Christ. For to be Christ's is manhood, power, victory. And to make light of Christ is death.'