The Blast-Furnace

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9

Did you ever see a blast-furnace? How long would it take a man, do you think, with hammer and chisel, or by chemical means, to get the bits of gold out from the stony matrix of ore? But fling them into the great cylinder, pile the fire, and let the strong draft roar through the burning mass, and by evening you can run of a glowing stream of pure and fluid metal. All the dross and rubbish is parted from it; it has been charmed out of all its sullen hardness, and will take the shape of any mold into which you like to run it.

The fire has conquered, melted, and purified. So love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given unto us will purify us from all sins.