Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
October 2, 2002 John Gipson
The Lantern-Bearers
Robert Louis Stevenson captured the public with Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Lesser known was The Lantern-Bearers. In this story Stevenson tells of how in September, when school time was drawing near and the nights were already black, young men would go forth with a tin bull's-eye lantern. These were worn buckled to the waist on a belt, and over them, a buttoned topcoat. They smelled of blistered tin, and because they were covered up they were of no use whatsoever. Nevertheless, when these young men met there would be an anxious, "Have you got your lantern?" and a gratified "Yes!" "That was the shibboleth, and very needful too; for, as it was the rule to keep our glory contained, none could recognize a lantern-bearer, unless (like the polecat) by the smell."
These young men would gather at some small fishing boat, unbutton their coats, let the bull's-eyes be exposed and delight themselves with talk (a bull-session, I suppose). They had been pillars of darkness in the dark as they walked, but they knew deep down in their private hearts that they had bull's-eyes at their belts. (What a marvelous secret!) They had lights, but nobody knew it. It was foolishness pure and simple.
I wonder why some Christians have taken up this practice? Their lights are effectively hidden throughout the week, and only shown on Sunday to others who have lights. It's their little secret. Weird!
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
JOHN GIPSON
Little Rock, Ark.
