MOODY AND THE CHILDREN.
By D. W. Reavis
“The first two or three years that I attempted to talk in the meetings I saw that the older people did not like it. I had sense enough to know that I was a bore to them. Well, I went out upon the street, and got eighteen little children to follow me the first Sunday, and I led them into the Sunday-school. I found that I had something to do. I was encouraged, and I kept at that work. And if I am worth anything to the Christian church to-day, it is as much due to that work as anything else. I could not explain these scriptural passages to them, for I did not then comprehend them, but could tell them stories; I could tell them that Christ loved them, and that he died for them. I did the best I could. I used the little talent I had, and God kept giving me more talents. And so, let me say, find some work. See if you can get a Sabbath-school to teach. If you cannot get that, go down into the dark lanes and by-ways of the city and talk to them, and sing some gospel hymns; or, if you cannot sing, take some one with you that can sing some of these songs of praise.” “Sing or read the twenty-third psalm, or pray, and you can get a blessing in that way. When you have won one soul to Christ, you will want to win two, and when you get into the luxury of winning souls, it will be a new world to you, and you will not think of going back to the world at all.” We would call especial attention to the fact that Mr. Moody attributes his great success to first teaching the children. If our young men and women who desire to do something in the closing message, will pattern after the example of Mr. Moody, and use the talents they have, God will give them more talents and make them strong in his cause. What a field is opening up before our young people in the Sabbath-schools! What an opportunity to improve our little talent! All can enter into this work. Come, young friends, let each of us be a Moody, and hunt up a Sabbath-school to teach. Love the children. Sing and pray with them. Do it, not for praise, but for our Saviour. We have met some young persons who are studying real hard, preparatory to entering the field. They want to work for the Master, but to our surprise they positively refuse to attend Sabbath-school. They “have no time.” They “must study.” Explain to them how much the school is needing them as teachers, and they say that they have no gift for teaching the children—never could teach. Mr. Moody had to learn to teach the children before he could interest their parents. So we believe it will be with you, young friends. It is a fine thing to be in the top of the tree, but you cannot get there by one mighty jump. Let us climb up.