ETERNITY'S
BEACUN LIGHT
By William J. Murdoch
{em my HERE is a light burning brightly
d for us from across the span of
eternity. It burns as clearly and
steadily as any beacon could
burn, and neither storm nor blackness of
night nor world upheaval can blot out its
beckoning rays from the vision of those who
are determined to follow it.
And we must hold fast to that determina-
tion, for in John 12: 46 it is written: “I am
come a light into the world, that whosoever
believeth on Me should not abide in dark-
ness.”
Imagine the different state of the world
today if only a few men had chosen to fol-
low that light—the light of the Holy Serip-
tures-—1instead of their own selfish aims and
ambitions! Imagine the peace and love
that would flourish among all mortals if
only these men und others like them had not
turned from that light to fan the already
raging fires of their own vainglorious greed.
But they have forsaken the light, and
today the entire world seems poised on the
brink of nowhere, ready at any instant to
plunge into eternal darkness. “For every-
one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither
cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved.” John 3: 20.
Yet we must not despair. We must have
courage, now, perhaps, as never before. We
must have vision; for it is a tragedy--an
awful tragedy of mankind that the flames
of war have so enveloped the world that
some of us permit ourselves to stray from
the shining guidance of that light.
And this we must not do. This is a time
for courage and loyalty—loyalty to both
God and country. In these dark hours we
must draw closer to the reflection of that
precious light which is found in our hearts:
for its rays will guide us, and its warmth
will give us strength and courage. While
the rest of the world stalks in darkness, we
must hold steadfastly to our beacon, safe
and sure in the faith that its radiance will
lead us to inward peace and consolation.
We must not be afraid. There 1s only
one thing to fear: darkness. And we need
not be afraid, for we know where we can
find the light that never fails.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, say-
mg, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth Me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.” John 8: 12,
The Light of the world. Cherish Tt!
Follow It! Never, never once lose sight of
It! Keep Its radiance in your vision, Its
reflection in vour heart.
| HOME
By Mawvraa M. BourweLo
|
The curtains are old,
But they're crisp and white,
And through the lace
Trickles cheerful light, |
The chars are scarred,
And the rugs worn bare,
But they can’t detract |
From the love and care |
And the thought secure |
| That fill the avr— |
This 1s home! |
bas Rationing
By the Editor
rationing card in the District of
Columbia. Present were men and women
representing all walks of life. The rationing
decree brought all to the same level. All
must answer the same questions, and all
must abide by the decision of the rationing
board. As I had driven to Washington for
several weeks’ work it was essential that I
should be able to return home in my car.
The treatment accorded me was entirely
satisfactory, but it set in motion several
trains of thought which are beginning to
Vol. 1.1
FORVICTORY
BUY
UNITED
STATES
DEFENSE
)/BONDS
Ly STAMPS
occupy the minds and attention of many
others. What is the rubber shortage, which
is the real reason for gas rationing, doing to
affect the life of America? Ividently the
hardest hit will be the rural areas, and as a
minister I wondered how the country folk
could drive miles to attend the city church
each week. Having grown up in a religious
country comununity in one of the central
states, I recalled that all over the country-
side churches were to be found to which
country folk repaired once or twice a week
for divine service, But those churches have
largely closed their doors. Not infrequently
has the grange bought a church building
and while carrying on a community interest
it has supplanted the church.
The church-inehined folk have been driv-
ing to the city, where ministers of better
address and education attend to their
spiritual needs. But with the rationing of
gas and the absence of rubber, how will
these interests be cared for? Already cer-
tain churches have decided that the church
service and Sunday school will be held at
approximate hours so that families will
not have to drive to church twice. Corre-
spondence Sunday school courses are
offered by some churches. The return of
the circuit rider who will be provided with
gas and tires, offers a solution to those in
interurban sections. But where will they
meet, since in many instances church build-
ings are no longer available?
Doubtless American ingenuity will solve
this question. In Elizabeth, New Jersey, a
(Continued on page 3)
The
JAMES EARL SHULTZ, Editor
SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION  -
August, 1912 - Number 9
dichman
MM
agazine
An Interpreter of the Times
Frtered as second-class matter, January 19, 1909, at the post office at
Nashville, Tenn., under act of March 3, 1879, by the Southern Publishing
Association, 2119 24th Ave. N. Acceptance for mailing at special rate
of postage provided for in Sec. 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, author-
122d July 11, 1918. Published monthly (except July, when semi-monthly)
DY
tions, twenty cents extra.
- Nashville, Tennessee
Subscription Rates
Ten cents a copy, and one dollar a year in the United States and to other
countries with the same mailing costs. Canadian and other foreign subscrip-
Subscriptions not accepted for less than one year.
Ten or more single copies to one address, tive cents each.
> In requesting change of address, please give both old and new addresses.
H. K. CHRISTMAN, Circulation Manager
TWO
Page
Th e
WATCHMAN MAGAZINE