p. 1 | Hewing by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1858

Hewing.

By J. Clarke

"Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets." Hosea vi, 5.

WHEN a man has timber to hew for building or other purposes, he sends his workmen to the forest to select the proper material. The hewers having put a sharp edge upon their axes, being provided with line and rule, proceed to cut down the chosen trees. The rough bark is then taken off to enable the line to be drawn in so plain a manner that it can be easily seen. Next the scorers cut notches in the timber just to the line, and split away the blocks between, and then score the uneven places to make it possible for the hewer to smooth the side with his powerful broad-axe. But mark the hewer as he speaks to one, You, A., cut too deep; to B., you do not score to the line; to C., your work is not level. Thus he trains his hands, until a flat surface is obtained upon two sides, when the stick is laid upon the other side, and the line is again drawn, the same process is repeated, and a noble piece of square timber is produced. Still the hewer is perhaps displeased at the marks left, because of the want of skill in scoring, though it will answer the purpose designed.

Or perhaps allusion is made to quarrying and hewing stone, which is first selected from the solid rock, free from fracture, and having been cut away from the mass, it is hewed, smoothed and polished for it designed place.

So we, blocks from the quarry of nature, or as trees of the forest, are cut down by the axe of conviction, are now being hewed and polished by the grace of God in Christ, are being fitted for a place in the glorious temple above. Are we willing to be hewed by the prophets? Perhaps we are only cut down and the line drawn. Will we shrink now just as the work has commenced, and lose the labor already laid out? or as the block from the quarry, just broken from the ledge. Can we stop here just as the work of hewing has begun?

Or perhaps the block is hewn, but not fitted for its place, not polished, and now is the time to exercise patience and receive those finishing labors which are necessary for our final perfection and triumph. Ah! says one, When will this hewing process be over? We keep the commands of God. Let us bear in mind so long as we are in this mortal body, the work of hewing and polishing must go on, and not till this mortal puts on immortality, will the work be finished.

Beware of inaction and sloth. We must grow in grace. Here a knot of impatience, there a corner of vanity, must be removed. Thus the polishing progresses, and while life lasts there is something to do rectifying the disorders into which sin has thrown us.

Those who are hewing will take care to work to the line, not a blow beyond. Many a piece of timber has been ruined by bad workmen. We find this spoiled timber almost everywhere. Every part of the human forest is strewn with ruined timber. Some merely cut down and decaying, some hacked or hewed without rule or line, thus rendered unfit for use. Hardly a tree but the false prophets have injured.

The quarry is filled with shapeless, unsightly blocks, hewed without regard to rule. They are at present wholly unfit for the building, with few exceptions. Oh, what reckless waste! Let the prophets beware. Rather let the material alone, than work to its ruin. But mourning alone will not give shape to these materials. The hewers will find enough to do. O for patience to hear the hewing.

J. CLARKE.