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forebears by removing these tablets. If we did we would be guilty of breaking the
basic law of filial piety. Nor do we consider this as idolatry.”
“Do you not worship several times a year before these tablets of your ancestors?”
inquired Brother Lee.
“Yes, we do,” they replied.
“Can your ancestors who have died, and most of whom are in perdition, help you?
Indeed it is right and proper for you to honor and respect your ancestors, but to
worship them is idolatry and I cannot pray to my Jesus for you while you are yet
guilty of this sin. Unless you are willing to do away with your ancestral tablets, you
may as well take your departure.”
Sadly they went away, grumbling at the intolerance of these Jesus-worshipers.
Another week of drought, and in final desperation they returned to Mr. Lee and told
him they were prepared to to take down even their ancestral tablets, if he would only
pray for rain.
“Go, then, to your homes and remove all of these things to the open market place. I
will presently come and inspect your homes and see that all is clear.”
After a little delay he made the rounds of the homes and inspected very carefully.
Not a single idolatrous symbol could he find, and even the ancestral tablets had
disappeared. He then betook himself to the market place where a large crowd was
assembled. The four elders were in the center of the crowd with the pile of images,
paintings, paper hangings and money, kitchen gods, Lares and Penates and ancestral
tablets.
Mr. Lee delivered a sermon to the assembled multitude on the one Living and True
God and the Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus. In the light of
God‟s revelation he declared the iniquity of idolatry, and asserted the drought to be
divinely sent as a punishment for their sin.
“This day, after we have burned these idols, we shall pray to Jehovah God in the
name of His Son, and there will be rain!
He then proceeded to burn the pile of idols and fetishes, as grave predictions of
impending disaster were whispered among the bystanders.
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