On the top of a hill about three miles from Kollegor, South India, there stands a stone slab, which bears the remarkable name of “The Penance Stone.” It has stood there for many years, and is visited by crowds of Hindus at a certain season. In the center of this stone there is a hole through which the Hindus squeeze their bodies, an act which they think will gain themselves merit and favor with gods of their temples. The process is extreme torture, and judging from the size of the hole, few persons of ordinary stature would be able to get through it.
The missionary shown in our picture got his head through the hole in the Penance Stone, but it is quite clear he will never squeeze his whole body through.
How sad to think of poor deluded souls seeking by self-inflicted torture to gain the favor of the temple gods. There is no God of love in the Hindu religion; their gods are no gods at all. But the true God of the Bible is a God of love and holiness. He has made His love known to us sinners by the gift of His dear Son, Jesus, who came into this world to save sinners.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
ML 02/07/1965