Lower Subject: Lamp
Inscription: “The Entrance Of Thy Word Giveth Light”
Dedication: Victoria Stevens Wallace
Maker/Date: Charles Hogeman, Easter, 1908
Lower Description – This verse comes from Psalms 119:130
“The entrance of thy words giveth light. No sooner do they gain admission into the soul than they enlighten it: what light may be expected from their prolonged indwelling! Their very entrance floods the mind with instruction for they are so full, so clear; but, on the other hand, there must be such an “entrance,” or there will be no illumination. The mere hearing of the word with the external car is of small value by itself, but when the words of God enter into the chambers of the heart then light is scattered on all sides. The word finds no entrance into some minds because they are blocked up with self conceit, or prejudice, or indifference; but where due attention is given, divine illumination must surely follow upon a knowledge of the mind of God. Oh, that thy words, like the beams of the sun, may enter through the window of my understanding, and dispel the darkness of my mind!”
Techniques – The Wallace windows use similar glass around a center symbols arranged in five rows of stone with the central theme in the middle. Surrounding the symbol are two concentric circles of stones. Within each row are different shapes of glass. The effect is traditional without any special treatment of the glass or painting.
Symbol – Lamp. The lamp is used as a symbol of wisdom and piety. The Bible describes the Word of God as a lamp unto the faithful. In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, a lighted lamp is used to indicate the wise ones.
Upper Subject: Cross and Crown
Inscription: “I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life”
Upper Description
This verse is from Revelation 2:10. John is writing letters to 7 Churches – this is part of the letter to Smyrna
There are three crowns specifically mentioned in the New Testament. They are the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory and the crown of life
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you The Crown of Life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
The Christians in Smyrna must not be afraid. They are certain to suffer. *Satan will put some of them into prison. The testing is the work of God.
Prison in those days was not punishment. It was a place of waiting. People waited for a decision on their crime. Whatever the result, they would only spend a short time in prison.
These troubles will last ten days. Ten days was the period of Daniel’s testing (Daniel 1:12-15). This may refer to the end of their suffering. It will last only for a short time. It will be a hard test but it will end. God speaks the last word (see James 1:12).
The Christian message was not popular in Smyrna. They did not approve of the Christian way of life, with its high standards.. He asks them to be faithful even if they have to die.
The Crown of life is a reference to eternal life. The example is Christ who knew the pain of death but won the “victory over pain and death.”
The crown was not the crown that kings and queens wear but closer to the idea of a prize and a sign of victory which was appropriate for Smyrna which had famous sports games.