# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1913_S69 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) The Lutheran Pioneer. The Rejected Stone. The Jewish rabbis have a tradition concerning one of the stones cut in a distant quarry for the temple of Solomon, and brought to Jerusalem to find its place in the building. But it was of a peculiar shape, and though carved with figures of exquisite beauty and loveliness, there was found no place for it, and the perplexed workmen cast it aside. During the years the temple was building, if was covered with dirt and rubbish, and became the laughing-stock of the workmen as they passed to and fro. But when the temple, shining in marble and gold, was almost completed, and the multitudes were gathered to witness its dedication, inquiry was made for the missing topstone, the crowning beauty of the whole building. ‘They found it in this de- spised and neglected dirt-covered stone. ‘They cleansed it of its defilement, brought to light its beauty, lifted it to its place amid shouts of joy, and it became the crown and glory of the temple. ‘This tradition calls to mind the words of Peter to the Jews. Referring to. Christ whom the Jews had rejected, he says: “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner,’ and then adds that great truth which is worthy to be written so large and so bright that it could be read in the stars: “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heayen given among men where- by we must be saved.” Oh, that all men would accept and hold fast this truth! Christ is the corner-stone of man’s salva- tion, the only hope for sinners, the only one who could make atonement for sin, the only way to heaven. He that rejects Christ rejects his salvation and casts himself into eternal perdition. a OR A Good Investment for Christian Capitalists. The financial columns of our newspapers tell us that millions of idle dollars are seeking investment at five and six.per cent.; the columns of our reli- gious papers tell us that investments promising ten thousand per cent. — a hundred fold —are begging for money. Isn’t it a pity that there is no way of interesting the capitalists in these well-paying in- vestments that the church-papers speak of? Is it wisdom or folly when a man goes about begging for a good investment at five and six per cent., when he can find the very best and surest investments at from three to ten thousand per cent. ? 69 A Picture in Wyclif’s Bible. There is a picture in Wyclif’s Bible which shows a fire burning and spreading rapidly, representing Gospel truth. Around this fire are gathered a number of significant persons trying to put the fire out. First of all, there is Satan with horns and iail. There is also the pope with his red-coated cardinals, who forbade the circulation of the Bible among the common people. Another figure repre- sents infidelity. At length one of the number makes the suggestion that they all make a united effort to blow on the fire till they blow it out. The REV. W. G. SCHWEHN, Newly Called Pastor of Grace Church, Concord, N. C. resolution is’ adopted with enthusiasm, and there they now are, shown on the picture, with swollen cheeks and extended lips, blowing upon the fire with all their might. But instead of blowing it out, they are blowing it up, and they only blow themselves out of breath. The fire is inextinguish- able. Yes, the raging and raving of Satan and his servants is in vain, the Gospel will remain and spread in spite of all they may do; the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. As in the days of the early Church the persecutions of the Jews and heathen only helped to spread the Gospel of Christ, so also to-day all the attacks of Christ’s enemies will have the effect of spreading His name and kingdom. é