THE CORNER-STONE | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 23, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 25.

THE CORNER-STONE.

A great cathedral was being built. The most beautiful marble, exquisitely carved, made its walls. Its woodwork was like satin, and of delicate colors. The windows were like rich paintings, telling the wonderful stories of Christ’s life. The workmen had come from far and near, the most skilful only having been chosen. For months hammers and chisels rang, till at last all but one window was finished. It was a south window, not large, where rich sunlight fell early and late.

“Strange it should have been forgotten,” said the master workman. “The bishop comes to-morrow, and all should be finished.”

A little, bent man, with a shrewd but kindly face, limped up. Doffing his cap, he said:— “Sir, I have made a window for that space from bits of the other windows. Pray you, let it go up.”

“It is the best we can do,” said the master. “Put it up for to-morrow, man, but after that it must come down.”

The next day the church was crowded. Just as the old bishop turned to preach the sermon, the sun burst out. It came through the south window, touching his white hair with a halo. Every one turned to look. The stranger’s window was a flashing jewel. Tho it was made of bits, the colors were so blended that they seemed like one. The sunlight glittered and broke into a thousand rays.

The bishop knew about the forgotten window, and the strange way one had been made. He had written a stately sermon, but he put it away, and preached the thought the beautiful window gave,—the rejected stone being the head of the corner.

People who heard it, and saw the window, never forgot. So shall we feel, little and big, when we see that some of our little efforts, which many thought worthless, shall be counted by Jesus worthy of all recognition.—Anon.