at we ought to be, is the
beginning of hypocrisy.

If we do indeed expect better things to come, we must let our hope
appear. A Christian who looks gloomy at the mention of death, still
more, one who talks of his friends as if he had lost them, turns the
bushel of his little-faith over the lamp of the Lord's light. Death is
but our visible horizon, and our look ought always to be focussed beyond
it. We should never talk as if death were the end of anything.

To let our light shine, we must take care that we have no respect for
riches: if we have none, there is no fear of our showing any. To treat
the poor man with less attention or cordiality than the rich, is to show
ourselves the servants of Mammon. In like manner we must lay no value on
the praise of men, or in any way seek it. We must honour no man because
of intellect, fame, or success. We must not shrink, in fear of the
judgment of men, from doing openly what we hold right; or at all
acknowledge as a law-giver what calls itself Society, or harbour the
least anxiety for its approval.

In business, the custom of the trade must be understood by both
contracting parties, else it can have no place, either as law or excuse,
with the disciple of Jesus. The man to whom business is one thing and
religion another, is not a disciple. If he refuses to harmonize them by
making his business religion, he has already chosen Mammon; if he thinks
not to settle the question, it is settled. The most futile of all human
endeavours is, to serve God and Mammon. The man who makes the endeavour,
betrays his Master in the temple and kisses him in the garden; takes
advantage of him in the shop, and offers him 'divine service!' on
Sunday. His very church-going is but a further service of Mammon! But
let us waste no strength in despising such men; let us rather turn the
light upon ourselves: are we not in some way denying him? Is our light
bearing witness? Is it shining before men so that they glorify God for
it? If it does not shine, it is darkness. In the darkness which a man
takes for light, he will thrust at the heart of the Lord himself.

He who goes about his everyday duty as the work the Father has given him
to do, is he who lets his light shine. But such a man will not be
content with this: he must yet let his light shine. Whatever makes his
heart glad, he will have his neighbour share. The body is a lantern; it
must not be a dark lantern; the glowing heart must show in the shining