---

There are many kinds of lamps, all of them having different uses and yet all of them intended to give light, but in very different places. Let us look at a few of them.

1. There are beacon lamps. Out upon the coast, here and there, all along there are these lamps. They are lighted as soon as it grows dark. As the ship comes up the channel, these lights, all of them different, show the captain of the ship where he is, and he knows by their help how to steer the ship so as to get to port in safety. God's Word does all this. It shows men the true way, and keeps them from wreck and death. I have heard of men putting strange lights on the rocks, so as to mislead the sailors, and then the doomed ship has coma ashore and been lost. Now there are spiritual wreckers, who want to have you and What you have got. These wreckers have false lights, the word, not of God, but of man. Shall I show you two or three of these false lights? When a boy or girl does not wish to go away from school or chapel these wretches will sneer, "I would not be tied to my mother's apron string!" But what says the beacon? See it how it flashes. "Forsake not the law of thy mother." Another of these false lights is, "It's only once." "Just this once, I won't ask you any more." Ah! you are in peril if you listen to this. Look to the beacon. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not!" There is yet another of these false lights I will show you. When you are hearing the preacher, and are beginning to think you had better be a Christian while young, the wreckers will show their false light: "Plenty of time yet." But what says the beacon? "I love them that love Me, and they that seek Me early shall find Me."

2. Did you ever hear of what are called hurricane lamps? There is a kind of lamp so made that you might carry it in the wildest of storms, and the strongest wind could not blow it out. Now, the Word of God is a hurricane lamp — it will not blow out. Oh! how Satan has tried in times of persecution; but you know when the Word of God gets into a man's heart there it sticks. You may, some of you, before you die, be persecuted for your religion. You may have to smart for being lovers of God, but don't be afraid. The Bible was made, like the hurricane lamp, to stand the storm. Not so with the schemes and plans of evil, they shall all be put out.

3. The Bible is an invalid's lamp. When people are ill, and have to lay awake all the night in pain, they don't want to be left in the dark; and yet, they, don't want any glaring light. They want a cheerful, yet soft light, and there are parts of the Bible just suited, such as "The Lord is my Shepherd." "Let not your hearts be troubled." "Came out of great tribulation." "I will give to him that is athirst." "Neither shall there be any more pain."

4. The Bible is a signal lamp. You have noticed the signals at night, when you have been in the train. There they are, white, green, red. Do you know what white means? "Come on!" Yes, that is it; and the Bible says to those who are doing right, "Come on, you are on the right track; come on. All is well. Go ahead!" But what does the green light say? "Caution! Slowly! Beware!" Yes; when the driver sees that he knows that it will be wise for him to slacken speed, and look about him. And so says the Word of God, when it sees that there is need for caution. When a man is wanting to be rich, and there is some danger that he may be tempted to make money at the risk of his soul, then the lamp signals: "Godliness with contentment is great gain." "They that will be rich fall into temptation." But can you tell me what the red light means? "Stop!" "Danger!" "Shut off the steam!" Yes, all of these. Oh! how the Bible calls out to men. If people would but mind the red light of Scripture we should have a great deal less of sin and sorrow.

(T. Champness.)

---

---

KJV: NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

WEB: Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.