THE TORCH BEARERS 335 



the spiny, useless desert cactus grow without spines, 

 so that it can be used as nourishing food, does he not 

 keep his torch burning brightly, and pass on its light 

 to others? 



Oh! there are so many, many ways to help the 

 world; so many, many ways to bless mankind; so 

 many, many ways to learn God's laws. 



We must hold our torches high and guard the 

 flames carefully. The shame would be far greater 

 for us should our torches go out, than it was for 

 those children who carried real ones. They were 

 obliged as they ran to guard the flames against the 

 wind, and to watch most carefully lest the light 

 should blow out. 



If the flame of the torch we carry dies down and 

 goes out, it is because we neglect it. The fire is ours, 

 and God, the giver, watches over us to aid us in our 

 endeavor to lift high the torch of true knowledge and 

 wisdom. 



By its light we enter into the mystery and the 

 marvel of this world in which we live. By its light 

 we learn to ''think God's thoughts after him," as 

 Kepler said when he studied the stars. B}^ its light 

 we find the true pathway of life. We may, if we are 

 faithful, be of those who carry on, undimmed, this 

 torch of truth, so that its light shines steadily and 

 grows brighter through the years, to liglit the lives of 

 all who live in God's wonder world. 



THE END 



