ONE SUMMER, years ago, a young bricklayer left his home in Tessin, in the Swiss Alps, to seek work on the German side of the mountains. He carried his tools and his few articles of clothing in a bundle over his shoulder.
As he was going along he met a lady, who spoke to him and presented him with an Italian Bible. She begged him most earnestly and cordially to read it, as it was the Word of God and pointed out the way to everlasting life. Antonio was not very appreciative, but he pushed the Book into his bundle and went on his way. Remembering how that he had been warned against the Bible as a “dangerous book” he determined to get rid of it as soon as possible. At length he reached the lovely little Swiss town called Glaris, where with others of his countrymen he soon found work.
One day as he was employed in the erection of a fine new building, Antonio came to a gap in the wall which needed filling up. Then there came a thought that to him seemed wonderfully clever: he would fill up the gap with the Bible. “And,” he exclaimed, laughing, “we’ll see whether the devil will get it out again in a hurry!”
Taking the book he gave it two or three blows with his hammer, and then amidst the roars of laughter of his companions, he forced it into the opening and covered it with mortar.
By and by the brickwork of the house was finished and Antonio and his countrymen decided to return to their homes.
Five years passed by. Then one May night a fearful hurricane swept through the Alpine valleys, followed by the dread demon, Fire. The little town of Glaris was mostly in flames and when all was over two-thirds of the town lay buried in ashes and ruins.
Help soon began to stream in from all quarters. The following spring troops of workmen, masons and carpenters, found their way to the spot where Glaris had stood, to help erect on its ashes a larger and finer town.
In one of these groups was a young Italian from Genoa, who had been brought to the Lord and possessed a small New Testament. It was his constant custom to bring before his companions the wonderful contents of this precious Book.
Most of them did not appreciate the truth, but one, Giovanni, from Genoa, would listen with marked attention. Sometime before, a Christian lady had presented him with a copy of this very Book, but not knowing at that time its true value he had given it up to a man who told him it was a “bad book.” He now regretted he had been so cowardly.
It so happened that Giovanni was among those who were given the job of rebuilding a house of which part of the walls were standing. Before proceeding, however, they must give the walls some heavy blows to see if they were really solid and strong enough to be allowed to remain. Giovanni swung his pick ax and brought it down with great force to the wall, knocking out several bricks, but with them—to the great astonishment of all—a book fell to the ground.
Giovanni picked it up, and with surprise and pleasure which scarcely permitted him to speak, he exclaimed, “A Bible!”
As the workmen crowded around him in astonishment, Giovanni opened the Book and read aloud the first words that met his gaze: “A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn.” Prov. 12:22A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. (Proverbs 12:2).
“Oh how happy I am!” he exclaimed, clasping the Book to his breast. “I have been longing for a Bible: I don’t deserve this wonderful gift, for once before when I had one I was fool enough to give it up. But this Book—I’ll die before I give it up!” There were three dents on the cover; but how the Book got there no one could guess. With a heart full of joy Giovanni took it as a gift from the hand of God.
Every day in his leisure moments he read the Book, and on Sundays he assembled a number of his companions and read aloud portions from it to them. He began with the New Testament, and though he could not explain what he read, nevertheless the Spirit of God took of the things of Christ and showed them not only to Giovanni but to many of his hearers, and as they proceeded step by step, more light was given them.
Not long after a man presented himself at Giovanni’s door and expressed a keen interest in the much-talked about Bible. He demanded to see the Book. Then he told Gianni that it was a harmful book in the hands of people in his station of life. Giovanni would not give up his treasure this time, however, and the man departed without it.
ML-10/03/1971