Part 7

Some years ago an old friend of mine put into my hands an ancient candlestick containing a short stump of a candle. It was an old homestead relic. The good lady had used it in her childhood, and her mother had used it in her early days also. It was at least seventy-five years old, and had not been lighted for more than fifty years. It had been stowed away in the old garret and forgotten, until one day it was taken with other common things from its dusty hiding-place, and fell into my hands. At once I lit the stump of candle, and it sent forth its golden light again just as it did fifty years ago. It seemed to say to me, "I will always shine whenever I get the chance." I do not say, as some of you humans of the day, "If you had no better place for me than a dark corner in a garret, if you have forgotten me, and failed to recognize my place in the world, I won't shine for you now." No. "But I will shine for you or anybody that will put the taper to my heart. It is my business to shine. I cannot do anything else."

I have often seen folks unlike this old candle. If they cannot be first in the work they won't help at all. If somebody else is asked to take part, and they are not, they sulk about it, refuse to join in and work. If they are asked to do something that some other person has been asked to do, and refused, they say: "Play second fiddle! I guess not!" The New Testament tells us of a proud man who loved to have the prominent place among them. This is not a Christian spirit. Jesus said, "If any man will be great among you, let him be your servant." Brighten your corner as a business. This is the business of the Christian--to shine. The candle can do nothing more than this. It shines just as it is. It never tries to be an electric light, or to do the work of electricity, but is content to do its own work, and that is the work of a candle, just to shine as a business. The electric light gives ten, fifteen, forty candle-power light. The electric power turns washing machines, runs vacuum cleaners, heats irons, and does all sorts of things at the touch of its finger of power. All the candle can do is to give its small-power light. But notice how cheerful it is in the midst of darkness. It knows it cannot do the task of electricity, so it does not fret itself about it, but just shines and does its best to brighten the little dark corner; that is its business--just to shine. Watch it shine, and you will notice it puts its whole life into the business of shining. Measure it as it shines, and you will discover it grows less and less, and leaves nothing behind it--gives itself, and all of itself into the business of shining. It consumes itself in the process of shining, This is a true light picture of the Christian. Real service requires the giving of the entire self. David Livingstone, the heart of Africa missionary, gave all that he had and consumed all his energies for the good of the Dark Continent. He just let his light shine out until his body burned out, and when the natives found him dead kneeling by his bed, they found an old worn-out body burnt out in the business of shining in Africa's dark corner. But his light still shines. The natives as they sit by their evening fire talk in soft tones about the great White Chief. They are watching that White Candle Chief burn in the jungles of their wild land. He being dead yet shineth.

That is the way to shine forever. Burn out here, and you will shine forever in God's kingdom. So we learn that we are not only letting our light shine as a business, but in so doing we light the dark corner lights around the world. This candle I now hold in my hand can light a thousand other candles, and they in turn another thousand, and so on until it could light shining candles girdling the round world. Light is contagious. It easily passes from one candle to another.

One courageous enthusiastic person can fire many others to shine in their dark corners also. If every one of my audience held an unlighted candle in their hands, this one lighted candle would carry the flame to all the candles. This room would be transfigured into a congress of flickering stars. This is the way the kingdom of heaven must come in. One life touches the other life, and they all shine in their corner as their business, which is the King's business also.

But learn the first great essential lesson. This candle, to shine forth in the dark corner as a business, must first be lit itself. It cannot light itself. It cannot say, "Let there be light," for no light can shine forth by a self-command. Some power greater than a candle must touch our dark heart with its taper of flame before we can shine forth. So we must come to the great Light of the World and give ourselves to him, and become his disciples, and he will give us the light which shines in our hearts, and out from our own lives. Then we become "Candles of the Lord," and brighten the corner where we are as a business.

In using this lesson suit your actions to your words. Secure if possible an old-fashioned candlestick with a stump of a candle in it, and say, "This resembles the old candlestick mentioned in the lesson." You can use an ordinary candle for other parts of the lesson referred to in the chapter.

You can close this lesson by asking a group of children to come to the platform and ask them to hold a candlestick with a lighted candle and sing together, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are."

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THE POSTAGE-STAMP AS A PREACHER

OBJECTS: A Collection of Foreign and Domestic Postage-stamps=

Hold up a letter with a plain two-cent postage-stamp upon it. "Let me introduce to you the Preacher of the hour! He is clothed in his white robe (the envelope) and is ready to be a preacher to us all."

1. This stamp is more than a common piece of paper. It has on it the stamp of the Government; therein is its value. It has the O.K. of the authorities of Washington. So we must have stamped on our life the image of the Good Father to make us worth anything in this old world. We must bear the mark of our Owner before we can be backed by the kingdom of heaven.

2. If the stamp was made by ourselves it would have no power. The letter bearing the stamp would be returned. So we can do nothing of ourselves. There is no good in us. When I was a little boy I was a stamp-collector, and when we could not find a stamp of the desired nation, there was issued what is called a "facsimile" of the original. It was a "make-believe" stamp. It looked all right in our stamp-book, but it was out of place and worthless on an envelope. It was only a pretender so we must not be contented with appearances only. That is the way hypocrites are made.

3. The stamp in the stamp box is always ready for service, just waiting to start on its journey. It has the mark of approval on it which the Government has given it. It has the sticking power which man has given it, and is just waiting to be called into service. Paul said, "I am now ready" not only to die but to live. He who is ready to die, is best prepared to live. Always ready for service, like a postage-stamp, is to be ready to go anywhere for the Master.

4. The postage-stamp is a good missionary. It will work anywhere. It will go to any part of the homeland or any part of the world, just as it is directed. No dividing-line between home or abroad, It will go to any part of the world. It just goes where it is sent. It is like a pair of bifocal glasses. It can see home needs as well as the far-away needs. It sees both clearly. That is the plan of Jesus, Jerusalem and the uttermost parts--both are alike to him as far as concerns their need of salvation.

5. I remember also that when I was a stamp-collector, I had one page in my book on which I had a stamp from each nation. They were all at peace with each other. It was the first picture of "The League of Nations."

To illustrate the truth, get as many stamps of the various nations as you may be able, and fix them on a large cardboard, and show them to the children, or bring them out of the Bible to show that if they are true to God's Word, they will live together in peace. This is the only "League of Nations" that can stand through the ages.

6. The postage-stamp does what it is told to do. It fulfils its task. When it is placed on the envelope, it takes the letter to the address given. That is its business. That is all that is expected of it. It does not seek to know the contents of the letter, but to deliver the letter to the party named. So it is our business to do just as we are told to do by our Good Father. We are not to pry into his will, or seek to know his unrevealed secrets. Our business is to carry his message. We are to speak where God's Book speaks, We are to be silent where the Book is silent. We should all try to do as well as a postage-stamp.

7. The stamp is a non-combatant. When it is licked it does not hit back. It is a peace-lover. It opens not its mouth. So we should learn that when criticism and hardship come to us, when the road is difficult, and we are discouraged, when the enemy does his worst, and Satan tries to dislodge us, we must just stick like a stamp. When we put the stamp on the envelope, we often give it a blow with our fist. That just makes the stamp stick tighter. So when we are hit by hard experiences we should tighten our grip all the more and just stick.

8. The stamp sticks to its job to the finish. It holds tight to the letter till it gets there. Happy is that boy or girl who continues to the end. A little newsboy by the name of George in the City of Philadelphia, Pa., sold papers in the street for a living. He believed if he stuck to his task he would some day be a great man. One day he stood looking up at the great building in which the paper was published and said, "I will some day own that building, and become the editor of the paper I now sell." He stuck to his task until at last he was owner of the paper and its editor also. His name was George Washington Childs, and the paper was The Public Ledger. He was like the postage-stamp. He stuck fast until he got there. That is the only way to "get there."

9. The postage-stamp never has a complaining word. Sometimes it is put on upside down or very crooked, and struck a great blow by the cancelling-machine in the Post Office, but it never speaks a word of complaint, just stands by its post and waits. If it goes to an address that has been changed, the new address is put on the envelope, and it starts on its journey again. It makes no complaint because of extra work, but starts away on another journey. So we should always "try again" and make another start. Many a man has "made good" by doing this. There is a medical remedy called "606." When the firm was asked why this number was given it, the reply was, "We tried 605 times to find a proper remedy, and failed; but the next time we found just what we were after, and so called it No. 606." Do not be afraid to try over and over. The next time may be the 606th of success. Now when you look at the little red postage-stamp let it preach over and over again to you the lessons I have given you in this chapter. Look again, and you will see on this stamp the face of the great George Washington, who lived out all these lessons in his life, and he is now "stuck fast" to the hearts of his countrymen.

Now, Mr. Postage-stamp, we thank you. You have preached to us a fine sermon this morning.

When you receive a stamped letter from the postman remember the Postage-stamp Preacher. Hear ye him.

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CANDLES IN THE PULPIT

OBJECTS: A Number of Candles and a Small Green Tree Branch=

Let us ask the candles to preach to us. These white-robed prophets will now speak. Candle No. 1, come to the desk and be preacher for us now.

In answer to this call a small boy or girl comes up upon the platform bearing a small candle and gives it to you. This, you say, is a little, but mighty preacher. In ancient story we are told of a mansion illuminated by a thousand candles, and in one of the candlesticks there was hidden the owner's will. The heirs searched for the candle with its message of gold. That candle had a message in it. So let us find the hidden truth in this and all the other candle prophets this night.

After lighting it you say, "It is a light bearing God's truth." Place it on the desk, saying, This is a little light, yet if the room was darkened it would lighten the entire room. This little prophet represents the child in the home, church, and world. The Bible says, "A little child shall lead them." That little child is Jesus. He led the wise men in the Temple of old. He is leading all men by the light of his Star to the Cross where sins are taken away. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men to me." This is the attractive power of a little child. All little children are sweet little lights, "the light of the home," so we all declare, and we are speaking well as we thus say, When this light is extinguished it has led many a soul back to God. This little light stands for the Primary Department of our Sunday school. They come to the school, they listen, and receive. They are there taking in light. They go out, and let it shine out, and many a soul has seen it and been saved. All the little folks look forward and see the light. Be ye little lights and shine in your corner for Jesus.

Our next preacher will be the large candle now brought forth by a larger boy. Place it on the desk, and remove the small candle, extinguish it, and put it out of sight.

This large candle is the pastor in the pulpit, who is a preaching candle. He is to tell the truth about things and to warn the people of dangers and present perils. Sometime the flock does not like his plain talk, and in Bible times they took him from his holy place and cast him out and stoned him to death. At this point have the boy so trained that he will come forward to the desk and try to take the candle out. You will stop him and ask him what he is doing. He will reply: "He talks too plain to us. We don't like it." You tell him, the preacher stands in God's place and is talking for him. Let all the people hear what the prophet has to say to the people. The candle is then placed back on the desk, and the preaching light continues to shine out its message.

"Who next will be our preacher tonight?" This call is responded to by two little girls, one bearing an ornamented candle coming first, the other bringing a plain candle following. As you take the first candle you say: "Beauty and adornment are useless and only pure vanity if just on the surface. People like to show off in religion, that is, they often like to show off their clothes and personal adornment, but you will notice after you have lit this candle that it does not give any more light than this plain candle," which you now take from the little girl standing a little space from you. You light the plain candle, and place them side by side, and by the side of the preacher's candle, and the preacher says, "Both the poor and the rich can shine alike for God, for he is Maker of them both."

Give the call again, "Who will preach for us next?" A child comes forward with a box wrapped in paper, and gives it to you. After you have opened it you produce a fine white candle. What does this mean, Mr. Preaching Candle? The candle answers, "I am a soul which hides his light under a bushel. I have gone out." Light it and place it by your side, that its light may call the people out of the easy pew and comfortable chair to the fortress to fight by light.

Behold! I see another prophet approaching. It is a foreigner. As he comes to the platform he bears the flag of China, and carries a Chinese lantern. He is coming not to preach but to listen. Hold up the lantern close to the preacher candle and say: "China is asking for the true light. What doth the preacher candle say?" And the candle answers: "Hear me, all ye people, Our Master's great commission tells us we are to go into all the world and preach the gospel. China is the largest nation of the world, and so according to the order of the Light of the World, we give China the light." Here light the lantern, and give it back to the child, and bid him Godspeed in his mission of light to his people who sit in darkness.

Give the call again, and six boys and girls come forward with a tall unlit candle in a candlestick. These are six Lay Preachers, Helpers of the Pastor. They do his bidding, and then they are sure to shine. Now light the six candles and let them stand around the desk holding their candles. Spread the children out as far as possible, so there will be no danger of their burning each other. Now the preacher candle says: "I am backed by my church-membership. They stand back of me. They are shining forth the same light that I shine out. This is a pulpit of power."

Here endeth the sermon of the candles in the pulpit. You now take the candles from the children and place them on the desk with the other candles and close by singing "The Light of the World Is Jesus."

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A POST-CARD SERMON

OBJECTS: A Collection of Post-cards=

If you wish to preach to the little folks and cause them to remember what you have said, try the post-card sermon.

When you announce the sermon for little eyes ask them to come to the front of the church and stand around the pulpit. Then hand to each child a pictorial post-card and make it the subject of your talk to them. Tell them the card now belongs to them, and they can take it home with them to keep. Preach about the picture on the card, calling their attention to every little detail. Drive home some truth as pictured on the card. Ask them to look intently at every point in the picture you are talking about.

This sermon should not be over seven minutes long. Children find it difficult to stand in one place for any length of time. If you seek to hold their attention too long, they will grow tired and their interest will slacken. You must be brief.

There are beautiful post-cards without number and the cost is very trifling. Use historical cards. Take, if you so desire, the card containing the "Liberty Bell," and preach upon the text of the Bell: "Proclaim liberty throughout the land." Describe the bell, give its history in a few words. The seasonal post-cards, Christmas, Spring, Winter, Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, etc., give a new meaning to these days, and tell things the children should know about them.

Use beautiful post-cards. Select some beauty spot in your own country and explain what makes it beautiful and what makes its beauty worth while to us. Use post-cards that have a children's story connected with them, such as "The Lighthouse-keeper's Daughter, Grace Darling," "The Boy Lincoln and His Log-cabin Home," "George Washington and the Cherry Tree." These pictures are running over with simple truth.

Use curious post-cards, such as of the Natural Bridge in Virginia, cave pictures, the gold-fields of Alaska. Tell them of the Natural Bridge as the work of God, and of the other bridge God made, a Bridge from Calvary to heaven, the Bridge of the Cross.

Select foreign post-cards. This will enable you to tell missionary stories about the people who live in those lands. Pictures of idols will help you to cause the children to want to tell the heathen children the story of the true God.

Select religious post-cards. Reproductions of the great works of art can be secured. Di Vinci's "Last Supper" is a good one to select. You can tell about the face of Judas and that of Christ being taken from the same living model. The face of Judas was the disfigured face of Jesus which had become repulsive because of the presence of sin. This is what sin will do for a face.

Select picture-cards of Bethlehem, and tell the story of the town as it now is, and as it was in David's time, and in the time of Jesus. It would be but small trouble to make a course of eight short sermons or more, using post-cards.

Urge the children to put the cards thus received in a little book, and put under each card the date you preached the sermon. If any child who attends regularly is absent mail a card to them the next day, with a short lesson written on the card. Children always like the postman to bring them something by mail. If they are out of town, find their address and send it to them. If they "just did not come," say to them that some Sunday morning if they will call to see you, you will give them the card they missed. It will give you a chance for a pleasant word with them. It often goes a long way with little folks. On the last Sunday of the course bring your full line of cards you have used, and have a short review and ask some questions about each card. This is only another, but a new, way of preaching to the wonder eyes of the wonderful folks we call our children.

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MAKING JOY

OBJECTS: Large Cardboards Containing the Word "Joy"=

This is a day of making things. The wise man could have said of things as he said of books, "Of the making of many things there is no end."

Did you ever try to make joy? It is a big business. All the world is trying to learn that trade. The world is richer than it has ever been, that is because we have learned to make money. The world is wiser than it has ever been; that is because we have learned to make many books. The world at heart is sadder than it has ever been; that is because it has never learned how to make JOY.

The joy the world knows is like the desert plant. It fastens its root by the side of a little stream, and drinks in the moisture, and spreads out its leaves of life. The stream is dried up at last by the heat of the desert, and the roots loosen their hold on the soil, and the windstorm rolls the plant over the desert like a dead leaf until another piece of wet ground is found. There it fastens for another short season, and again the sun dries up this spring of life, and hurls the root on in the heart of the desert storm, This is repeated over and over again until at last it tosses it out into the piercing rays of the sun a withered dry old root dead at the heart. So men and women are like this dry root. They absorb this pleasure and another until at last, when old age finds them they are like the old dead root east up by the winds of time. Dead in the inside. They never found any joy to which they could anchor. They never knew where to find real joy.

Look and listen--I will tell you where to find it. Secure three large cardboards and paint on them the word "JOY." One letter on each card, stand them up on a background where they can be seen by all present. These letters spell the word "JOY." This is what all the world is after. The first letter stands for Jesus. The middle letter a cipher or "nothing." The last letter stands for You. Nothing between Jesus and you. This is the way to bring real joy to the soul. Most of our sorrows come from disobedience, and that means that something has come between the J and Y that will never spell JOY.

Paint on a black card the letter S which stands for Sin. Hang this card up in the place of O. J.S.Y. will never spell JOY. Sin keeps the joy from passing from J to Y. Only a short time ago thousands watched the eclipse of the sun. There was darkness at the last. In some of the great cities the street lamps were lit because of the darkness all around. It was because something had come between us and the sun. It was the moon. It looked like a great O. It shut off the sunlight for a little season. There was something between. Let nothing come between you and Jesus and you will find "JOY." The O is a cipher which means nothing. Nothing between J (Jesus) and Y (You). That spells JOY. That is the big shop where joy is made.

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