SOME time ago, a few ladies, who met together for Christian fellowship and mutual edification, read the third chapter of the prophet Malachi. On coming to the second verse, one of them gave it as her opinion, that “the fullers’ soap” and “the refiner’s fire” were only the same image, intended to convey the same view of the sanctifying influence of the Grace of Christ. From this opinion another of the ladies differed, observing that there was something remarkable in the third verse: “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” To this they all assented, and as the lady was going into the town, she promised to see a silversmith, and report to them what he should say on the subject.
She went and without telling him the object of her visit, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. “But do you sit, sir?” “Oh yes, madam. I must sit, with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace; since, if the silver remain too long, it is sure to be injured.” She at once saw the beauty and the comfort too, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees it needful to put His Children into the furnace, but He is seated by the side of it. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying; and His wisdom and love are both engaged to do all in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random, but they are wise and gracious appointments of their heavenly Father; and the very “hairs of their heads are all numbered.” As the lady was returning to her friends with the issue of her interview, the silversmith called her back, and said that he had forgotten to mention one thing, viz., that he only knew that the process of purifying was complete by seeing his own image in the silver. When Christ sees His own image in His people His work of purifying is complete.
—Extract from Quarterly Magazine.