LITTLE CHILDREN by A. P. Nason

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1877

LITTLE CHILDREN.

By A. P. Nason

Jesus loved the little ones. He took them in his arms and blessed them. It seems most natural that mothers should love our divine Lord, and desire to have his blessing upon the dear ones entrusted to their care. Though they may not be privileged as were the ancient women of Jerusalem, when Christ walked personally among them, yet by faith can they crave the blessing upon their helpless ones, and feel that though unseen, the loving Saviour gently leads them.

God pity the mother who depends upon her own wisdom to instruct and control the mind of childhood. The trust committed to mothers is most sacred. How watchful do they need to be, that they may be enabled to shield their loved ones in their innocence from sin’s pollution! She who has a little child to love is blessed indeed. Society may be harsh and cold, and even those who profess friendship may fail to comfort; but the children, dear, loving, trustful ones, how soothing is their caress. To them, mother is the dearest and best friend in the world, and they bring to her all their little grievances with the most implicit confidence that she can alleviate them.

It seems easy to understand the loving tenderness of Jesus manifested toward the children. What a relief it must have seemed to his weary mind, after meeting the cruel hypocrisy of the Pharisees, to have turned to the innocent children, who could appreciate his noble, generous nature! Their hearts had not become hardened by the spirit of pride and jealousy which characterized the chief rulers among the Jews. How truthful his word, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein”! Unbelief does not exist in the heart of a little child. God bless the children. Without them, home seems a cheerless place. Children, birds, and flowers, seem akin to each other. Imagine what our world would be without them. How dreary, how desolate!

Mothers, you who are care-worn and sorrowful, feeling that life’s burdens are heavy to bear, thank God for your children. Make home a place of love and beauty for them as far as lies in your power. Scatter sunshine in their pathway. Look back to your own childhood, and remember how comforted were your hearts by the loving word and kiss of mother. Children will not forget the home influence. If it has been kindness and love, it will follow them as they go out into a world of danger, and will shield them in the hour of temptation. Labor bestowed upon the children in the fear of God is not lost. Jesus himself will stand beside the patient, loving mother; and though her path may be a lowly one, unknown to fame, in the faithful performance of duty will she find consolation and peace. A. P. NASON.