p. 13 | As Little Children by Mrs. Mary H. Williams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1914

As Little Children

By Mrs. Mary H. Williams

MRS. MARY H. WILLIAMS

THE inspired record reads, “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst.” I like to picture that scene: the Master and the disciples, and in their midst a little child. No lines of sin or care on the smooth brow, innocence and trustfulness mirrored in the frank and open eye, while the little, upturned face seems to say obediently, “What wilt Thou?” How characteristic of Christ’s method of adapting the deepest spiritual truths to human understanding! Having come in the flesh to reveal the Father’s great love for his children, he chooses the little child to represent our part in the tender relationship. How often he dwells on the fatherhood of God, as though he would answer the yearning of his own heart along with the helpless cry of humanity!

“Except ye . . . become as little children,”—I want to put emphasis on the little when I think of their simple faith and loyalty, even to an earthly parent. Have you ever witnessed the grief of a little child on learning that it had been tricked by some convenient falsehood? O, the pity of it, that parents should ever destroy that faith, typical of the relation of God’s children to him! But the Father’s words are all true and call for the response of perfect faith; nor will a loyal child remain where his name is lightly spoken.

Obedience follows as a natural consequence of the child’s implicit confidence in the father’s love and wisdom. The little one runs with willing feet to do his father’s bidding; and every parent knows that willing obedience is the only kind worth having. An older child may be so absorbed in his own affairs that he yields at best but a reluctant consent. Our relation of parents to children, and children to parents, may teach us many a valuable spiritual lesson if we but take it to heart.

It is the busy preparation day in the household; and as the mother hurries to and fro with her work, a daughter asks, “Do you want me to help?” The tone plainly says, “I hope you don’t.” Should you be surprised if the assistance were declined?

Neither can God’s children give acceptable service in this conscience-smitten attitude, nor while secretly hoping they will not be called upon to give up their own petty affairs for the work of God’s great preparation day.

“He’pin’ mamma,” lisps the dimpled baby with a happy smile. Perhaps the more experienced members of the household may be annoyed by the bungling attempts; but the mother’s fond indulgence finds only praise for the helpful spirit, as she trains the little one for real helpfulness. Is God less patient or willing to teach? “O, if I could only work in the harvest field!” cries the little lad whose task it is to weed the garden. He thinks of the joy of “bringing in the sheaves.” All unknown to him are the sharp stubbles that would lacerate the tender bare feet, or the heavy bundles that would make his young back ache; but the father knew the scorching heat and the burning thirst to be endured, when he chose men for the laborers. Then should we be unwilling to allow him who gave us our talents to choose our places for us?

Born of the Spirit into the kingdom of grace, becoming as humble as a little child, is the Master’s teaching of the way of life eternal. The grace of true humility is greatly to be desired; for he is not easily offended who does not think of himself “more highly than he ought to think,” nor will he mar his work by attempting to do it his own way. If we possess the docile, teachable spirit of a little child, even the unskilled hand may do acceptable work when the Great Teacher guides and directs it.

A mother with her two children is proceeding down a crowded city thoroughfare. Both cling to her hand at the dangerous crossing, but as soon as it is safely passed the older child snatches away his hand. Perhaps she smiles at the independent spirit, but there is a little heartache withal; and then I think she likes the touch of the clinging little hand. In the pressing throng the older child loses sight of mother, and there is anxiety and delay until he again holds her hand. Even so the work of God and our progress toward the eternal home are hindered because we, his children, do not hold to the guiding hand, or seek it only for the rough and dangerous places.

What pangs of grief the parents suffer when a child becomes wayward and self-willed. Yet in all his perversity, the parent’s love follows the child, yearning to receive him again, willing to forgive. If human love fails in forbearance, divine love still holds out hope to the outcast. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Witness the anguish of the Saviour as he stretched out his arms toward Jerusalem! How he longed to save his willful children from the consequences of their stubborn unbelief! In the parable of the good shepherd we see with what infinite tenderness he regards the lambs of the flock. He carries them in his arms, he bears them in his bosom. It is not necessarily the young in years, but the weak and inexperienced, those most likely to fall a prey to the wolves, who are the objects of his special love and care. Years later the disciple who leaned on his breast, like a faithful undershepherd, writes to “my little children” of the love of God.

While we love God supremely and exercise faith, loyalty, and obedience toward him, let us not forget the childlike grace of simplicity in relation to our fellowmen. How the speech of a child commends itself to us for simple directness! No child of God need blush because his unsophisticated mind fails to grasp the jests or slang which are current among worldlings. Wealth of vocabulary or polished phrases cannot clothe nor make presentable an unkind or impure thought; and divine approval is pronounced on him in whose mouth is found no guile.

With what reverence we contemplate the great Creator — his power, his wisdom, his holiness! We are humbled to the dust, and exclaim, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him!” Yet this glorious One whom all the hosts of heaven worship and adore, has taught us to say, “Our Father.” Listen to his promises to his loyal children, who honor his name while here in the enemy’s country: They “shall be like him,” shall “be called the sons of God,” shall be “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ;” and O, crowning honor! they shall see his face and in their foreheads bear his name.

Charles City, Iowa.