Matthew 5:16

Even so, let your light shine.

Like the city set on. hill, or the lighted lamp on. stand. We are told, 1. To let our light shine, 2. Before men, 3. By good works, 4. That they may glorify the Father in heaven. Christ is the Light; we will shine with reflected light if we walk in his light. We are not to shine by words, or profession, but by works. If we do the will of Christ, set. pure and holy example, do good, and bless men, it will always be. powerful argument to men in favor of religion. An infidel, pointing to. true Christian, once said, "There is an argument. cannot answer.. cannot refute such. pure and holy life."

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

POOR IN SPIRIT.-Self denial is the first lesson in Christ's school, and poverty of spirit is the first beatitude. The foundation of all other graces is laid in humility. Those who would build high must begin low-- Henry. The first steps to mount. ladder must begin from the ground.-- Basil.

THEY THAT MOURN.--For perfect beings sorrow is not needful, but to creatures like men, seeking to escape the burden and thrall of animal life, sorrow is helpful--

"For God has marked each sorrowing day, And numbered every sacred tear, And heaven's long age of bliss shall pay For all the good man suffers here.-- Bryant.

PERSECUTED.--I give thanks unto God for this, that. am found worthy to be among those the world hated-- Jerome.. am getting rather proud, for. see that my character is more and more defamed-- Luther. "Our light affliction, which is but for. moment, worketh for us. far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory-- Paul.

SALT.--Salt in the east loses its saltness by exposure and admixture of foreign matters, and it is then rendered worthless. Thompson says that he found such salt in localities at the south end of the Dead Sea. He says (The Land and the Book) "It is. well known fact that the salt of this country (Palestine), when in contact with the ground, or exposed to the sun and rain, does become insipid and useless. From the manner in which it is gathered, much earth and other impurities are necessarily collected with it not. little of it is so impure that it cannot be used at all, and such salt effloresces, and turns to dust.. *. It is cast into the street and trodden under foot of men."

LET LIGHT SHINE. It is not enough that we carry religion in our hearts, like fire carried in flints, but we are outwardly, visibly, apparently, to serve and honor the living God.-- Hooker. The eclipses of the sun are seen and noted by all men. If those appointed to be the light of the world undergo eclipse men's eyes will be upon them. Habitual and professed sinners may sin without observation or comment, but, not so the professing Christian-- Richard Baxter. Lord Peterborough,. skeptical wit, stopped for sometime with the pious Fenelon at Cambray, and was so impressed with virtue, purity and good deeds of his host, that he exclaimed, as he went away; "If. stay here long,. will become. Christian in spite of myself."

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Point out the incidents that precede the sermon on the mount,. night of prayer, apostles ordained, multitudes gathered to hear and see. 2. Bring out the surroundings; the Horns of Hattin, plain below, Sea of Galilee near, Jesus on mountain side, disciples around him, seated as he teaches. 3. Point out the significance of this discourse. The Kingdom early expected, is misunderstood, an explanation of its underlying principles, an exposure of mistakes. 4. Show that he declares, who shall have the kingdom, the poor in spirit, the persecuted, those who do his will shall enter. 5. Consider the beatitudes, show that in the kingdom precisely the opposite characters are "blessed" than those whom the Jews expected to be. Take up the beatitudes one by one, and show this to be the case. 6. Show why persecution takes place. Upon whom it confers. blessing, why martyrs have rejoiced. 7. Show how Christians are the salt of the earth and why some churches are cast away. 8. Point out how they are the light of the world. Why their light must shine, upon whom, how, and who will be glorified as the result. 9. Point out the characteristics of disciples of Christ as learned from this lesson. How many are there and what?