HOW TO SPLIT THE ROCK

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 23, 1896

HOW TO SPLIT THE ROCK.

A MINISTER preached a number of years in a certain place without any visible benefit to any one. Finally, he concluded it was not right for him to preach, and in consequence thought he would give it up.

While musing on the subject he fell asleep and dreamed. “I dreamed,” he said, “that I was to work for a certain man for so much, and my business was splitting open a very large rock with a very small hammer, pounding upon the middle of it in order to split it open. I worked a long time to no effect, and at length I became discouraged and began to complain, when my employer came.

“Said he: ‘Why do you complain? Have you not fared well while in my employ?’”

“O, yes!”

“Have you not had enough to eat?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been neglected in any way?”

“No, sir.”

“Then,” said he, ‘keep to work—cease your complaints, and I will take care of the result.’ After this he left me.

“I then thought I applied my little hammer with more energy, and soon the rock burst open with such force that it woke me. Then,” added he, “I ceased to complain. I seized my little hammer with new vigor, I hammered upon that great rock—sin—with renewed energy, nothing doubting, and soon the rock burst. The Spirit of the Lord rushed in, and the result was a glorious ingathering of souls.”

In the foregoing incident we have one of many proofs as to the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise, attached to the divine precept. Be not “weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”—Selected.