It appears that the “eternal flame” is in need of repairs.
The monument in Arlington National Cemetery dedicated to John F. Kennedy and known as the eternal flame has recently been moved so that repairs can be made to upgrade and enhance the permanent burner system. Not so “eternal” after all, it would seem.
Compare that to a truly eternal flame of a different sort, using the words of a great but little-known old hymn:
O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high
O Truth unchanged, unchanging
O Light of our dark sky;
We praise Thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps
Shines on from age to age.
The Church, from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifted
O’er all the earth to shine;
It is the golden casket
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture
Of Christ, the living Word.
It floateth like a banner
Before God’s host unfurled;
It shineth like a beacon
Above the darkening world.
It is the chart and compass
That o’er life’s surging sea,
Through mists and rocks and quicksand
Still guides, O Christ, to Thee.
O make Thy Church, dear Savior
A lamp of purest gold;
To bear before the nations
Your true light, as of old.
O teach Thy wandering pilgrims
By this their path to trace;
Till, clouds and darkness ended,
They see you face to face.
–“O Word of God Incarnate”, William How, 1823-1897
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”–Psalm 119:105
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”–John 8:12
a pattern of sound words 