Yes, yes, a carpenter, same trade as mine! How it warms my heart as I read that line.

I can stand the hard work, I can stand the poor pay, For I’ll see that Carpenter at no distant day.

MALTBIE D. BABCOCK

It suits our best sense that the One who spoke of “putting the hand to the plow” and “taking the yoke upon us” should have made plows and yokes Himself, and people do not think His words less heavenly for not smelling of books and lamps. Let us not make the mistake of those Nazarenes: that Jesus was a carpenter was to them poor credentials of divinity, but it has been Divine credentials to the poor ever since. Let us not be deceived by social ratings and badges of the schools.

Carey was a cobbler, but he had a map of the world on his shop wall, and outdid Alexander the Great in dreaming and doing.

What thoughts were in the mind of Jesus at His workbench? One of them was that the kingdoms of this world should become the kingdoms of God— at any cost! SELECTED

“What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2).

Is it a hoe, a needle, a broom? A pen or a sword? A ledger or a schoolbook? A typewriter or a telegraph instrument? Is it an anvil or a printer’s rule? Is it a carpenter’s plane or a plasterer’s trowel? Is it a throttle or a helm? Is it a scalpel or a yardstick? Is it a musical instrument or the gift of song?

Whatever it is, give it to God in loving service.

Many a tinker and weaver and stonecutter and hard worker has had open windows and a sky, and a mind with wings!