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LITTLE CHILDREN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1871

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 37, No. 22.

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LITTLE CHILDREN.

By Sel.

Speak gently to the little child, So guileless and so free; Who with a trustful, loving heart, Puts confidence in thee. Speak not the cold and careless thought, Which time hath taught thee well; Nor breathe one word whose bitter tone Distrust might seem to tell.
If on his brow there rests a cloud, However light it be, Speak loving words, and let him feel He has a friend in thee; And do not send him from thy side, Till on his face shall rest The joyous look, the sunny smile, That make a happy breast.
O, teach him this should be his aim— To cheer the aching heart, To strive, where thickest darkness reigns, Some radiance to impart; To spread a peaceful, quiet calm, Where dwells the noise of strife: Thus doing good and blessing all, To spend the whole of life;
To love with pure affection, deep, All creatures great and small, And still a stronger love to bear For Him who made them all. Remember 'tis no common task, That thus to thee is given, To rear a spirit fit to be The inhabitant of Heaven.
—Sel.