Service for Rebellion by Horatio W. Dresser

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 7, 1911

Service for Rebellion

By Horatio W. Dresser

WE have heard somewhere in medieval literature a legend that ran somewhat as follows: An infidel knight, in the wilderness of his mad, Heaven-defying infidelity, determined to test by the method to which he was best accustomed the reality and power of the God whose existence he denied. So going out into the field armed as for combat, he cast his glove upon the ground, after the manner of ancient challengers, and cried out to the heavens: "God, if there be a God, I defy Thee, here and now, to mortal combat! If Thou indeed art, put forth Thy might, of which Thy pretended priests make such boasts!"

As he spoke his eye was caught by a piece of parchment fluttering in the air just above his head. It fell at his feet. He stooped to pick it up, and found inscribed upon it these words: "God is love." Overcome by this unexpected response, he broke his sword in token of his surrender, and kneeling upon the fragments, consecrated his life thenceforth to the service of that God whom he had just before defied.—Horatio W. Dresser.