Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/384

 of the  world  have  destroyed  it. "They became  vain  in their  thoughts,"  says  the  Apostle,  "and  their  foolish heart  was  darkened." (Rom. i.  21.)  Beware  of  abusing the means,  which  you  have  in  your  power  of  being  beneficial to  others. Every individual  of  the  Christian  family is bound  to  edify  by  good  example;  in  this  sense  every one is  "  the  salt  of  the  earth."

I. Apostolical  men  are  not  only  "  the  salt  of  the  earth," to purge  the  hearts  of  men  from  sin,  but  also  "  the  light of  the  world,"  to  enlighten  others  and  direct  them  in  the ways of  virtue. "It is  the  most  Divine  of  all  Divine offices,"  writes  a  holy  Father,  "  to  co-operate  with  Christ for  the  salvation  of  souls." Hence it  is  most  acceptable to God,  according  to  the  expression  of  the  Prophet, " They  that  are  learned,  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of the  firmament,  and  they  that  instruct  many  unto  justice, as  stars  for  all  eternity." (Dan. xii.  3.)  It  is  a  property of light  to  warm  and  enlighten. Examine yourself  how you perform  your  duty  on  this  subject,  and  seize  every opportunity of  being  beneficial  to  your  neighbors,  particularly by  "  letting  the  light  of  your  example  shine  before them." All instruction  is  cold,  unless  it  be  accompanied and  enforced  by  example.

II. Christ "  was  the  true  light,  which  enlighteneth every  man,  that  cometh  into  this  world." (John i.  9.)  He communicated  a  divine  system  of  doctrine  to  mankind, illustrated and  enforced  it  by  His  example,  and  gives  His