Man’s true birthday is when he is born again; he existed before, but only began truly to live when Christ began to live in him. John A LITTLE CHILD.
A CHILD is but a simple being. It is like the bud which is to unfold itself into the full-blown flower, or as the acorn which in due time becomes the stately oak. Yet, notwithstanding its littleness and simplicity, it occupies an interesting place in the Scriptures of Truth, one or two of which, among many, are these: “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me.” Matt. 18:1-51At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (Matthew 18:1‑5). “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:1616But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16). The understanding and thoughts of a child are, however, weak and immature, as expressed in 1 Cor. 13, When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
These and other Scriptures of a like character, were recently brought to my remembrance by a simple circumstance. I was passing by the town residence of one of the highest noblemen in the land. The mansion has a stately appearance, corresponding with the rank of its owner, and though it stands in the midst of a great city, it has an air of protection and security which is wanting in ordinary dwellings. A continuous stream of traffic passes before it, but it stands so far back from the main road, and is so well protected by the strong and handsome railings which enclose the trees and grounds that give ornament to it, that it has almost the tranquility of a country seat. In these grounds I saw a little girl who was evidently the child of comparatively poor parents, running up and down the smooth graveled path, trundling her hoop with manifest delight. She was probably the child of the porter, or of one of the servants of the household. She was, no doubt, enjoying the protection and comfort of the pleasant place with scarcely a thought about it; and we may be sure that she was not disturbed by a sense of the greatness and grandeur which surrounded her.
Is not this a fair illustration of the way in which many dear children, who have come to the Saviour, rest in His love and enjoy the protection of His great and gracious name? They do not altogether understand it, and they could only give the expressions of a child about it; but they know it in their hearts, and are happy under the shelter of His almighty love and grace, through the wondrous work which He accomplished upon the cross.
T.