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THE REFINER OF SILVER

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 1.

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THE REFINER OF SILVER.

A LADY who was studying the beautiful verse in Malachi, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,” called on a silversmith and begged to know from him the process of refining silver. He described it fully to her, when she said, “But, sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?”
“Oh, yes, madam,” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver is sure to be injured.”
At once she saw the beauty, and the comfort, too, of the expression: “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees it needful to put his children into the furnace, but he is seated by the side of it. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and his wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random. The very hairs of their heads are all numbered.
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention that he only knew when the process of purifying was complete by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.
Beautiful figure! when Christ sees his own image in his people, his work of purifying is accomplished.—Selected.