A visitor to a pottery establishment was puzzled by an operation
that seemed aimless. In one room there was a mass of clay beside
a workman. Every now and then he took up a mallet and struck
several smart blows on the surface of the lump. Curiosity led to
the question, “Why do you do that?” “Wait a bit, sir, and watch
it,” was the answer. The stranger obeyed, and soon the top of
the mass began to heave and swell. Bubbles formed upon its face.
“Now, sir, you see,” said the modeler, “I could never shape the
clay into a vase if these air-bubbles were in it, therefore I
gradually beat them out.”
Is not the discipline of life just a beating out of the bubbles of
pride and self-will, so that God may form a vessel of earth to hold
heavenly treasures? (Text.)
(779)
See SUCCESS IN FAILURE.