February 1927
84
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
nection I call your attention to a clear and pertinent anal ogy; the point of which is that the proof you demand can be had only by experiment. For myself, I know that God is Light, and that He sheds light in the heart that is opened to Him, because I put the matter to the test of experience twenty-three years ago, and have enjoyed the consciousness of spiritual light ever since. Moreover, my experience is that of millions of others. Let me remind you that light will not force its way into a place that is tightly closed; but that, if only a tiny chink be opened, in it comes, proving itself. Likewise Christ, who is “the true Light,” does not force Himself into the chamber of the soul against the human will. But He ever waits at the door, ready to come in, if wanted. So you may have the proof if' you will. For the nature of the matter is such that, like the smell of a violet, the color of a sunset, or the taste of honey, it can be known only by experiment. The “Good Book,” that you asked me not to quote, says “Come and seeS I“Taste and see.” Is not that strictly scientific? You have been truly doing God’s work in helping to enlighten the darkness of nature. But there is a spiritual darkness too. So follow the analogy, and it will lead you straight to. the. truth, and to the solution of the whole mystery of human existence. With sincere affection and respect, P h ilip M \ uro He beholds across the room, lying upon a small bed, the haggard face of a man who has evidently long been a helpless invalid. The traveler’s heart is immediately touched, and he seems to forget what he came for. He introduces himself to the sufferer as “Mr. Love,” and learns that the invalid’s name is “Mr. Helpless.” Many years he has lain a victim of paralysis, his good wife being obliged to leave him alone throughout the day while she sought a means of livelihood. “I was on my way to the city to hear the great Galilean preacher,” said Mr. Love. “Perhaps you have heard of His wonderful teachings and the cures He has wrought. Oh, if I could but get into His presence, I am sure His heart would go out to you as mine does. But how could I get you there? Since I can’t, I will sacrifice the opportunity of hearing Him today, and I ’ll abide here to read the Scripture to you and do what I can to make you 'comfortable.” We leave Mr. Love by the bedside, reading to the grateful man the twenty-third Psalm. M r . L ove ’ s M in istry What a type is this paralytic of the unsaved soul, par alyzed by Satan, and helpless to save himself. Never can he get to Jesus on his own feet. Some one must pray and labor with him. Some one must bring him to the foot of the cross and hold him there by the help of vicarious faith until light shall break into his soul. Who will do this ? It is “Mr. Love” who is first needed. God must use a man in whose heart His own love has been shed abroad by the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:5). Though one speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not this love, he ping several times, he discerns a faint voice within, bid ding him enter. He opens the door.
should rest upon nothing less substantial than well attested facts. So here is a fact for you: God (whom you reverently call “the Supreme Intel ligence” ) loves you, and wants your lqve in return. My visit to you and this letter are evidences of it, though of course not sufficient to prove to your satisfaction either that God is, or that He cares for Thomas Edison. But wait. Another fact-. God is Light. How do I know ? I know in the only way that light can be known—by experience. For the nature of light is such that it admits of being known only in the way of experimental knowledge. I am saying this to the man who has had more to do with the development of artificial light than any other who ever lived in this dark world, and who probably knows more about light, in a practical way, than any other. How then could the existence and the nature of light be demonstrated to one who had been shut up all his life in a dark cell ? It could be done only in some such way as by opening a window; and then the light would enter, and prove itself. This I say, because you are seeking a solution of the mystery of life and the soul by the way of analogies from nature. Very good'. Much truth can be got in that way ; as Butler, in his famous “Analogy,” has abundantly shown. I hope you will continue your investigation, and in your customary thorough-going fashion; for it is the most important you eyer undertook. And in this con “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days ; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door : and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bring ing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the pajsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Mark 2 :l-5) C AN you imagine yourself back in the days of our Lord, standing upon one of the hills overlooking the little city of Capernaum? Suppose that with field-glass in hand, you scan the roads leading into the city. There seems to be a very unusual stir in the quiet coun try-side, for every highway leading into Capernaum seems to be dotted with people moving toward the one center. What is the attraction ? Upon inquiry we learn that word has been spread abroad that Jesus, the great Galilean preacher and miracle worker, is to be in the city this day. Here come the throngs comprised of some mere curiosity seekers, but many earnest souls, either themselves afflicted or seeking to assist some loved one whom they hope may be looked upon with compassion by this famed worker of miracles. M s. H elpless F ound Let us turn our attention to one man whom we see plodding alone along the hot,- dusty road. He stops to wipe the perspiration from his brow, and wonders where he might get a refreshing drink of water. He discovers down the road before him a humble cottage, and trusting he may here procure water, goes to the door. After rap
Wi Four Yokefellows Out For a Soul K . L . B.
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