18f;9. " LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE." 505 



ini nation, activity, and force. It was a community thus fondly 

 aifectioned towards him that were suddenly startled and horrified 

 by the intelligence of his death." 



All this is beautifully expressive of the truth ; but probably 

 no endeavour to analyse the constituents of that influence over 

 others which George Wilson exercised, consciously and uncon- 

 sciously, can be more than partially successful. In looking at a 

 flower or a bird, we can scarcely tell from what it is we receive 

 delight : form, colour, odour, and grace of motion, all conspire 

 to please, and it is not necessary to know why we are pleased. 

 If it be so with a simple organism, how much more difficult is 

 it to solve the problem with a being whose higher nature com- 

 munes with us through media in themselves so attractive, that 

 we can only bask in the sunshine of its radiance with un- 

 questioning joy ? Worth of character is often unattractive in 

 itself, but united to genius it is well-nigh irresistible. Let us 

 not on this account, however if unable to lay claim to this 

 rarer charm-- put aside the lessons taught us by George Wilson's 

 life, but rather let us look on him as one who, like St. Paul, ob- 

 tained mercy, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe 

 to life everlasting. 



When great lights are removed from this dark world, does it 

 not become those less brilliant to seek to shed their rays over 

 a larger surface, that the gloom may be somewhat diminished, 

 and the bright shining of the true Light everywhere hastened ? 

 " Allow not the unobtrusive meekness you have witnessed, the 

 steady truth, the upright integrity, the unostentatious self- 

 denial, the patient sweetness, the hopeful resignation of the 

 loved and lost to die away in your temporary admiration of 

 them ; but let them fall into your hearts like living seeds, there 

 to be cherished as precious things, which are in due season to 

 bear fruit after their kinds in your own life and experience, 



-fruit which shall be the strength and comfort of those who 

 come after you, and your testimony to the faithfulness of your 

 God." 1 



1 ' The Ascension of our Lord :' a Sermon by R. P. Graves, M.A , p. 11. Hamil- 

 ton, Adams, and Co., London. 



