BOASTFUL BUILDING by Wellspring

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 13, 1904

BOASTFUL BUILDING.

By Wellspring

"BLOW, O winds! Rise, O ocean! Break forth, ye elements, and try my work." Such was the boastful inscription put upon the first Eddystone lighthouse built by the eccentric Winstanley. His challenge was accepted, and one fearful night the sea swallowed up the tower and its builder. The next one met a similar fate, the structure and its builder, Rudyard, perishing together. The third was erected by Smeaton, who built it all of stone, making it a part of its rock foundation, so that the lighthouse penetrates it as a tree penetrates the soil. Upon this lighthouse no vaunting inscriptions were placed, but on the lowest course were chiseled the words: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it;" and on the keystone, above the lantern, is the exclamation, "Laus Deo!" That structure still stands, a never-failing beacon-light to storm-tossed mariners. He who would build for eternity must not set about his task in any vainglorious, overconfident spirit. He must be careful as to his foundation, building firmly and deeply upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and relying in trust and humility upon Him who alone can enable one to reach a perfect result. —Wellspring.