“Yes, dear; let me hear it,” replied Grandma Elsie, and the child read in low, sweet tones:
“‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.’”
The little girl paused, closed her Bible, and putting her hand in her pocket drew out a small white stone.
“See, grandma,” she said, “I picked this up yesterday when we were out and it reminded me of that verse. Please, grandma, tell me what it means.”
“I will do the best I can, darling,” was the sweet-toned reply. “The white stone was the symbol of acquittal. When a man had been accused or suspected of some crime, tried for it and found innocent, the judge would give him a white stone, and he could show that as proof that he had been pronounced innocent. The white stone was also the symbol of victory and honor, and was given to brave soldiers coming home from battles for their country.”
“Then they would be very proud to show it, I suppose,” said Elsie. “But was that all the use they had for such stones, grandma?”
“No; they were used as a symbol of friendship. A single stone would be cut in two, one man would take one half, his friend the other, each would write his name on the piece he held, then they would exchange them, each keeping his piece with his friend’s name upon it, as proof and pledge of that friend’s love. They might be so separated afterwards as not to see or hear from each other for years, and perhaps, if they met again, not be able to recognize each other, because of changed appearances, but the stone would help them to prove their identity and give them the joy of renewed friendship. And when they died their sons would inherit those valuable stones, which would serve as helpers in keeping up the friendship of their fathers.”
Elsie sat for a moment in thoughtful silence, then turning to her grandma, with a sweet smile: “That was a nice lesson,” she said. “Thank you very much for it, grandma.”
“What was that, daughter?” asked the captain, approaching them at that moment. In reply Elsie showed her stone and repeated what her grandma had been telling her.
“That was a very good lesson,” said her father. “Keep the little white stone, daughter, and when you look at it remember the Master’s promise given with it—look to Him for strength to overcome, and you will not fail. He says to each one of His children: ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ Again and again in that same chapter He repeats His gracious admonition to His people not to fear, because they are His—He is their God and will help them.”