PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS.
By M. E. Steward
I have known many of all ages, who were never, in many things, anything more than children. Their plans were for self-advancement and enjoyment, just as a little child seeks continually to please itself. Let anything cross the wills or plans of such, and how foolishly they will act! They forget their manhood and make themselves verily like little boys and girls in their pettishness and want of self-control. Not seldom, scenes occur even in families of those professing to be like Jesus, which are sufficient to make one blush for shame. Such forfeit, not only the esteem of beholders, but all self-respect. They lose the inward consciousness of moral integrity, which ever stamps itself on the outward bearing and commands respect anywhere. How sad! thus recklessly to give one's self into the hands of these hateful and hating beings who throw a pall of darkness over the house, while heavenly angels, we are told, gather their pure robes around them and flee from the place! Precious spirits of love, with power to help, are driven away by wicked childishness, and mortal enemies given possession! Oh! shame! Shall any who profess to look for the near return of their Saviour be guilty of such folly? In malice (1 Cor. 14:20) we may be children; but Paul says (1 Cor. 13:11), “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” Let us get more of the spirit of Christ, and we shall find in that the manhood of Paul. It is not a thing to be worn or left off at pleasure, as some mistake, who become affected in their false dignity. It is inseparable from the right motives and conduct of the true child of God. It is entirely consistent11with real meekness. Jesus had it pre-eminently. While he won the confidence and love of the honest in heart, whether high or low, the manliness of his strict integrity and virtue commanded the respect and admiration of all. Oh! that we might show his character so written in ours that we could truly be living “epistles, known and read of all men.”