p. 8 | How Much More

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 26, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 21.

How Much More

THE devotees of superstition are often more zealous than the children of God. As illustrating this, note the following:

Before work was begun on the battle-ship “Florida,” before even a keel plate was laid, her headboard was nailed up, upon which was the following inscription: “U. S. S. Florida. Battle-ship No. 30. Displacement, 21,825 tons. Keel laid March 9th, 1909.” In the middle of the board was nailed the traditional horseshoe. Harpers’ Weekly, which presents a photo reproduction of the headboard, thus describes it:

“The silver horseshoe nailed on the headboard of the ‘Florida’s’ cradle TO WARD OFF EVIL HAPPENINGS during her infancy. The nails were driven in the horseshoe by Rear-Admiral Goodrich, commander of the yard, and naval constructor Baxter, and ‘clinched’ back of the board by Miss Heather Baxter, the constructor’s daughter. As soon as the horseshoe had been fastened, the ‘Florida’s’ first keel plate was laid with interesting ceremony.”

The “horseshoe” superstition is very old. It had its origin away back in the Dark Ages, and was placed upon doors to keep off witches. An old legend tells us that the devil asked “Saint” Dunstan to shoe his (the devil’s) single (fabulous) hoof. Dunstan, knowing it was the devil, tied him to the wall and put the devil to so much pain that he roared for mercy. Dunstan at last released him on the condition that he would never enter a place where he saw a horseshoe displayed.

Now, think of it! Grave, scientific builders do not presume to do a stroke of work on a modern battle-ship till they first nail up a horseshoe at the entrance of the “cradle” in which the ship is constructed! And this is the enlightened twentieth century! Just as if the presence of a piece of metal could change or modify conditions around that ship! Just as tho the shape of that piece of metal could make any difference! The doing of it is childish, superstitious, heathenish, silly. Yet were Uncle Sam’s great builders true to their superstition, true to the worship of the horseshoe.

And yet professed Christians undertake, inaugurate, and presume to carry forward work in which are involved eternal principles and the issues of life and death, without seeking God, the living, all-seeing, overruling God; work pertaining to the salvation of souls for whom Christ died and for whom He pleads. Truly, if care and dependence are shown in the one case, how much more they ought to be manifest in the other. It is our Lord who has said, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” On the other hand, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matt. 7:7.