A WONDERFUL GIFT by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 17, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 45.

A WONDERFUL GIFT

By J. O. C.

It Is Bestowed upon Children Very Early in Life

THE exhortation of the apostle for all to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith (Rom. 12: 3), is one worthy of much study.

The specification here, it will be noticed, is not that a measure of faith has been given to all, as though the gift were one bestowed according to merit; but the measure of faith — that is, a gift freely and equably distributed to all alike. It is only reasonable to believe that when Heaven makes requisition upon humanity for service, the ability to render that which is required will be provided alike in each and every case. The capacity to think soberly according to a prescribed standard must be provided to meet the necessity, or no responsibility can attach to the one failing to meet the established rule.

BESTOWED IN EARLIEST CHILDHOOD

Inasmuch as grace brings salvation, and that through faith, which is the gift of God (Eph. 2: 8), the measure of faith to be dealt by God to every one must therefore be uniform, since it is designed to meet a single, well-defined purpose. The great question then is, At what time in human life is this equable endowment bestowed, in order to assure a permanent lead of the mind in proper channels of thought?

From some statements by the Saviour, one would logically conclude that the favored period is at earliest childhood. And why not thus equip the child, so that his earliest thoughts may tend to establish his mind in the things of eternal interest? But to the Saviour's words. When asked to tell who are greatest in the kingdom of heaven, the Master at once set a little innocent child before the questioners, and pointing to the pattern, said: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18: 1-4.

Inasmuch as the infant thus presented was said to be the standard of heavenly greatness, and faith is the road to that goal, the Saviour virtually affirmed that faith was and is lodged in the human breast at infantile age.

SUFFER THEM TO COME

This thought is strongly entrenched by the words of Christ on another occasion. Complaint was expressed against mothers who had brought their infants to be blessed of the Saviour. Quickly the Master rebuked the sordid spirit by saying: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Mark 10: 13-15.

It is therefore clear that the simple, trusting faith that moves the moral faculties is vested in the little child before it has developed the independence of later years, which is perhaps stimulated by unhallowed association with those who have no fear of God before them. These tender years are those in which the mental powers act with the most ease and vigor, as may be seen by the natural and healthful operation in useful school studies. The same condition obtains regarding religious impressions. These act quickly on the young mind, bringing vividly to the front one's relation to God, long before the mind becomes capable of mental activity in the departments of more extended common human knowledge.

PREVIOUS EQUIPMENT FOR LIFE'S ACTIVITIES

This is indeed a wise provision on the part of the Almighty; for were it otherwise, when intellectual dormancy had ended, and the child must pass to his place in society, he would do so with untrained and comparatively feeble mentality. Besides, it seems highly proper that when mature life duties are begun, these should be prefaced, and hence strongly supported, by antecedent religious experience. This becomes important because in early life questions of duty are of hourly occurrence, and the education received in settling these assists greatly in establishing the mental activity of later years. Religion is, therefore, to the child, not only a motive power, but a molding agency as well.

In the foreknowledge of God, all these advantages were provided the child, to equip him for mature service in the busy marts of commerce or the more quiet scenes of rural occupation. But in whatever place he might be called to act a part, God gave him

a pre-equipment for the place, in order that his life might reflect glory upon the Author of his existence.

What a loss, then, is met when parents neglect to cultivate the native gift God has so graciously bestowed upon their offspring, especially since the time for doing this is when the mind is so tractable and retentive! How much better is this way than in later days to be called to mourn that their charges have outgrown the time when they would have had pleasure in the ways of the Lord! J. O. C.