THE Bible is pre-eminently a book for children. Its simplicity, earnestness, and pictorial quality, in spite of its manifold authorship, always have rendered it fascinating to them. They appreciate at once that it is for them as much as for their elders. There is not so much in it about children as in many other books, but most of it is pervaded by a recognition of their needs. Childlikeness is emphasized in the New Testament as essential to the true relation of the human soul toward God. We are to be simple-minded, like children. Like them we are to be trustful, affectionate, forgiving. We are to illustrate the warmth of heart which is their characteristic. Without this quality we can not be truly religious, or, at least, we can not attain to the highest and most fruitful type of piety. The relation of the child to its parents is the most common of illustrations in sermons, and that it does not become stale is because its beautiful fitness is recognized. It implies so much on both sides. It means not merely our dependence in love and confidence upon God, but also His love and care for us. Children like the Bible because in it they find children just like themselves. The good are not goody goody, and there are not lacking examples of naughtiness and even grave sin which serve as warnings. It is a fruitful study, that of the children of the Bible, whether taken one by one, or compared. The Bible emphatically inculcates the duty of teaching the young that, while still children, they should become Christians, but it is careful not to expect from them a mature type of piety. The young can only be young Christians. But there is no reason why they should not be as genuine, consistent, and often as fruitful, as any of their elders. To this end early training is particularly necessary. The emphasis which used to be put upon carefully educating boys and girls to be Christians has been relaxed in too many homes. It sometimes may have been excessive in the past, so that it reacted upon its objects. But if judicious, sincere, and guided by prayer, it can not fail to be a blessing, and should be a feature of every truly Christian home. Our children should grow up in the knowledge and love of God, and never know what it is to have the feeling of outsiders. They should be taught the principles of the Gospel from their first intelligence, and should expect to become professors of Christ as soon as they reach a suitable age, which in many cases may be early. They should not be hurried into the church, but they should not be prohibited from it merely because they are young. The Bible's stories about children and all its utterances in regard to them are in harmony with, and often are intended to teach, the lesson that children not only may but ought to give their hearts to Christ as truly as if they were grown up. Happy indeed are they who in early life learn to love and follow Christ, for theirs is likely to be a Christian career less stained by sin, and less assailed by conflict, than if they had failed to be converted until mature years.—Congregationalist.