THE REJECTED STONE by C. S. Robinson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 8, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 36.

THE REJECTED STONE.

By C. S. Robinson

THERE is a tradition of the Jewish rabbis which relates the history of a wonderful stone, prepared, as they say, for use in the building of Solomon’s Temple. Each block of that massive edifice was shaped and fitted for its particular place, and came away from the distant quarry marked for the masons. But this one was so different from any other that no one knew what to do with it. Beautiful, indeed, it was, carved with figures of exquisite loveliness and grace; but it had no fellow; it fitted nowhere; and at last the impatient workmen flung it aside as only a splendid piece of folly. Years passed while the proud structure was going up without the sound of ax or hammer. During all the time this despised fragment of rock was lying in the valley of Jehoshaphat covered with dirt and moss. Then came the day of dedication; the vast throng arrived to see what the Israelites were wont to call “the noblest fabric under the sun.” There it stood, crowning the mountain’s ridge and shining with whiteness of silver and yellowness of gold. The wondering multitudes gazed admiringly upon its magnificent proportions, grand in their splendor of marble. But when one said that the east tower was unfinished, or, at least, looked so, the chief architect grew impatient again, and replied that Solomon was wise, but a builder must admit that there was a gap in his plans. By and by the king drew near in person; with his retinue he rode directly to the incomplete spot, as if he there expected to be most pleased. “Why is this neglect?” he asked, in tones of indignant surprise. “Where is the piece I sent for the head of this corner?” Then suddenly the frightened workmen bethought themselves of that rejected stone which they had been spurning as worthless. They sought it again, cleared it from its defilement, swung it fairly up to its place, and found it was indeed the top stone, fitted so as to give the last grace to the whole.—C. S. Robinson.