Two stone cutters were engaged in similar activity.

Asked what they were doing, one answered, “I’m squaring up this block of stone.” The other replied, “I’m building a cathedral.”

The first may have been underemployed; the second was not. Clearly what counts is not so much what a person does, but what he perceives he is doing it for.

– William Harman

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

—Charles H. Spurgeon

The Master was searching for a vessel to use:
Before Him were many,
Which one would He choose?
“Take me,” cried the gold one.
“I’m shiny and bright;
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest,
And for someone like you, Master, Gold would be best.”

The Master passed on with no word at all,
And looked at a silver urn, grand and tall.
“I’ll serve you dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine;
I’ll be on your table whenever you dine.
My lines are so graceful, my carving so true,
And silver will always complement you.”

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
Wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass.
“Here, here!” cried the vessel, “I know I will do;
Place me on your table for all men to view.”

“Look at me,” called the goblet of crystal so clear,
“My transparency shows my contents so dear.
Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy in your house to abide.”

Then the Master came next to a vessel of wood;
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
“You may use me, dearest Master,” the wooden bowl said.
“But I’d rather you used me for fruit, not for bread.”

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse, and make whole, to fill and to use.

“Ah! Now This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find.
I’ll mend it and use it and make it all mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself,
Nor one that is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor one that is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one that displays his contents so proud;
Nor the one who thinks he can do things just right;
But this plain earthen vessel filled with power and might.”

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day;
Spoke to it kindly – “There’s work you must do…
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.”

—B.V. Cornwall