The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1913, Page 69

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

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