By Mary Wilder Tileston

      Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

      EPHESIANS 2:20-22

      WHEN God afflicts thee, think He hews a rugged stone,
      Which must be shaped, or else aside as useless thrown.

      RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH

      WHAT comforts me is the thought that we are being shaped here below into stones for the heavenly temple,--that to be made like Him is the object of our earthly existence. He is the shaper and carpenter of the heavenly temple. He must work us into shape, our part is to be still in His hands; every vexation is a little chip; also we must not be in a hurry to go out of the quarry, for there is a certain place for each stone, and we must wait till the building is ready for that stone; it would put out the building if we were taken pell-mell.

      CHARLES GEORGE GORDON

      Oh, thrice fools are we, who like new-born princes weeping in the cradle, know not that there is a kingdom before them; then, let our Lord's sweet hand square us, and hammer us, and strike off the knots of pride, self-love, and world-worship, and infidelity, that He may make us stones and pillars in His Father's house.

      SAMUEL RUTHERFORD