REVEAL CHRIST TO THE CHILDREN
By M. M. M.
Are we showing Christ to the children? Are we revealing Him to them in our looks, words, and actions? Only through our life can they know Christ; the only way they can see His tender, pitying smile, and realize His love for them, even when rebellious and disobedient, is to see it in our face. But, you plead, This child is so trying, hateful, and aggravating, and has such an unlovely disposition. Yes, and that is why you should show Christ to him; for it is an evidence that the childish heart has been starved for want of Him. May God pity the little ones who are in this condition. Unkind words and harsh looks, fault-finding, threatening,—all these things hide the sunshine of the Saviour’s face from little children, as surely as storm-clouds and rain hide the sunshine from the earth. The little ones suffer when they are under this cloud. They are out of harmony with that law of love which governs the universe, and there follows a confused and morbid condition of mind, which, if continued, must result in disaster. Would finding fault be a source of encouragement to us? Would it help us on in the better way to receive frowning looks when we need a smile? Are we faultless ourselves? Have we no need of the Father’s pitying compassion and forgiveness? Did not He, even after years of sin and rebellion against Him, extend to us with infinite love and longing, the invitation to come and find rest? He knew the weariness, the heartache, the loss, we suffered by wandering in the wilderness of sin, and He pitied us with a great pity, and loved us with a great love, in spite of all our waywardness. I have known a mother to take her willful child and with solemn mien and true earnestness undertake to impress upon his mind the enormity of his guilt when committing some misdemeanor, yet no sign of relenting or sorrow for his act would be evinced. But when the Spirit of Christ came into her heart, it showed in the pitying tenderness in her eyes, and immediately two young arms were thrown about her neck, and warm kisses were showered upon her face. Children recognize the true Spirit of Christ manifested in us, and they readily respond. O that God could teach us—every father, every mother, every one who has any association whatever with little children—to show Christ Jesus to them. They need this; it is their right. Forbid them not. My heart is often stirred within me at the lack of Christlike love shown in the training of children: and I fear there will be a sad awakening by and by, if we do not wake up now, and manifest more of that spirit of pure, true love, which has an irresistible power upon even the most wayward.