THE child in our picture is on bended knee with clasped hands, closed eyes, and head bowed. His whole attitude is one of reverence. One looking on the picture could have no other thought than that he was in prayer; and this is a thing pleasing to God, whose eyes are over the righteous, and whose ears are open unto their prayers.
Sometimes little boys and girls—yes, grown people, too—are ashamed to be seen with bowed head, or on their knees. They are afraid that someone finding them thus, would be ready to laugh at them, or make sneering remarks about them. But why should they be afraid of what people may think when they know that the Lord is ever well-pleased to have
His people pour out their hearts: before Him! Would it not look as if, they had the fear of man before them; and thus a snare is brought to them, for they have been hindered in that which is right and which would be a strength and help to them. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” (Prov. 29:2525The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25).)
Let me give you a little incident of a girl whose home was in the West. When she was about eighteen years of age, she went to visit some friends in the East. After some stay at different points, she reached Alleghany, where one of her uncles lived. This uncle had a fine house, well-furnished. The air of elegance which was felt in all the surroundings, and the evident culture of the inmates of the household made the poor western girl ill at ease. But, though feeling awkward and embarrassed in the midst of such fine surroundings, she endeavored to behave quietly and in a way becoming a Christian, for she loved the Lord, and sought to please Him. As her arrival was in the evening, it was not very long until she was shown to her chamber for the night. To her surprise, she found that she was to share her cousin’s room. This added to her embarrassment, for her cousin, some years her senior, was a very beautiful young woman—the pride and admiration of the city—and the poor girl thought, How can I kneel in the presence of such a person! Silently looking to the Lord to help her, courage was given, and she fell on her knees and buried her face in the bed-clothes. Then all trouble was past —she felt that she had the Lord’s approval; and this was enough, no matter what others might think.
In our picture, mother is peeping through the half opened door. And it always gives joy to the heart of a Christian mother to know that her children are learning to come thus to God and bring their needs to Him. Jesus saw Nathaniel under the fig-tree in prayer, and made mention of it. May my young readers all learn to seek His face diligently thus!
ML 04/12/1903