January 1

The true light now shineth. — 1 JOHN ii. 8.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. — JOHN ix. 5.

THIS is one of those I AMs peculiar to John's gospel, by which Jehovah revealed himself through the manhood of Christ, even as he showed himself to Moses at the bush.

"That which doth make manifest is light!" So Christ has revealed to us what, but for him, we had not known. By that one utterance to the woman at the well, "God is a Spirit," etc., he has told us more concerning the spirituality, the unity, and the fatherhood of God than the wisest of ancient philosophers had reached. By his sacrifice of himself upon the cross for the sins of the world, he has forever met the need which men were seeking to satisfy by the offering of bulls and goats upon the altar. By his resurrection from the dead and ascension into glory, he has brought life and immortality to light, and illumined for us the darkness of the future life. Nor is this all; everything that has brightened human life in the individual heart, in the family, in society, and in the nation has come from him. Truly this "light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold" this sun. Let us therefore walk in its brightness, for he that followeth that "shall have the light of life."

Mr. M. Taylor

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light. Look unto me; thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus and I found In him my star, my sun; So in that light of life I walk, And glory is begun!

H. BONAR.