Article March 28, 1903 Issue

The Faithfulness that Saves

J. E. FELLERS.

I have somewhere read of a blacksmith who was employed to make a chain strong enough to support the anchor of a ship in time of heaviest storm. He selected the best material that could be found. He fashioned every part with precision and care, knowing that no chain is stronger than its weakest link. He tempered and tested every piece of iron that went into that chain as if he would teach it how to do its part when the critical moment came. Many said he was unnecessarily careful, but to their criticisms he turned a deaf ear and worked away at his task. After the chain was finished, he tempered and trengthened it by every process known to the iron-worker. None so perfect and strong had ever been made before, because the secret process which gave it such unequalled strength was known only to him.

Finally it was taken to the deck of a large ship. For years it was carried back and forth across the ocean without being used. One night a wild storm arose and the ship was in great danger, for it was among the rocks. The small anchors one after another were dropped into the sea but the chains could not stand the force of the storm. Finally the great anchor was thrown overboard, and the blacksmith's chain was drawn full length. There was intense anxiety among the voyagers, for it seemed that one more swell of the ocean would drive the ship upon the rocks. Fearful hearts called aloud to God. Some bowed their heads in silent prayer. Some wept. All watched the issue of that moment. The strain on every voyager's life seemed equal to the strain upon the chain. Throughout the night the blacksmith fought the storm, but as the light of morning overspread the east the vessel settled down upon a calm sea. What would have been the result if the blacksmith had made one weak link in that chain? Did he not act wisely in using only the best material and rejecting all substitutes?

In giving Science and Health to the world, our Leader wrought well. When in prayer and tears she was writing that marvelous book, many said it was useless and would never be needed or used, but these criticisms did not prevent her from doing perfectly the work she had been called to perform. God had impelled her to write that book and she must write it well. It must contain absolute Christian Science. It could not stand the test if it contained adulterations. The truth it taught must never break bread with human opinions, and after the last link was finished it must be protected and preserved. Thousands upon thousands give grateful testimony to-day that in times of greatest peril, when every other anchor had failed, this wonderful book preserved them from danger and brought them out of darkness into light.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Christian Science in Business