The Saviour's love and care for the Children, and the Promises for them.
"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them:—and put his hands on them and pray:—and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. And he said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me." "And when the chief priests and scribes saw the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David! they were sore displeased"(!) — "And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" — "Hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes!" Matt. xxi, 15, 16. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom." "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." "Thy children shall make haste:" — "for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. And in the New Earth the beasts shall be so harmless that a little child shall lead them." Isa. xl, 11; xlix, 15-25; liv, 13; xi, 6. "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Deut. v. Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people," — "and I will glorify them, and they shall not be small." "And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." "Yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord." "I will gather them; for I have redeemed them:" "and they shall live with their children, and turn again." Mal. iv, 4-6; Isa. xi, 11; Jer. xxx, 19-22; Zech. x, 7-9; Eze. xxxvii, 24-28. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that23we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Rom. xv, 4. The Lord has brought us down to the time of the third angel's message, ("the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,") — even "the second time to recover the remnant of his people," — "both sons and daughters." Eze. xiv, 22. In this last message of mercy, is restored the fourth commandment; — to "prove them, whether they will walk in his law or no." And he would have "thy children walking in truth," — even "present truth." 2 John, 4; 2 Tim. iii, 15. And now, as in aforetime, the Lord would have the parents "take heed," and "keep the commandments," and teach them diligently unto their children, for the fourth commandment includes "thy son" and "thy daughter." As I write, a friend comes to my mind, who once kept the Sabbath and has given it up. She speaks of having great concern of mind about her children, at the time of her keeping the Sabbath. But now she can say she has not that burden! "Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hosea iv, 6; See Job xxiii, 11, 12. O what a comfort it will be to the parents to have their children enjoy the hope and blessing that is promised to the commandment-keepers. Rev. xxii, 14. If you would have the children be among those who "get the victory," "having the harps of God;" and join with them in singing "the song of the Lamb," O teach them even now to join with you in singing and praising God. It will please "their angels" and the Saviour; yet the Enemy may be sore displeased! Matt. xxi, 15, 16. Teach them to love, "be pitiful, be courteous," and kind to each other. — I know a little one, only four years old, who in the time of family prayer, often lisps out: "O Lord help us to do thy will and keep thy commandments. Help us to keep the Sabbath holy unto thee. O Lord help us to mind Pa and Ma. Help us to resist the devil that he may flee from us, draw nigh to God that he may draw nigh to us, — we ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen." And I do believe the Lord hears the little one when it prays. Dear brethren and sisters, much depends upon you. It is in your power, by the help of the Lord, to win these little souls, whom God hath left in your care, — "and he that winneth souls is wise." See James i, 5; v, 20; Prov. xi, 30. O, what patience you will need in these "perilous times." Remember that "here is the patience of the saints." Don't forget the admonitions of the Lord, that you with your children may have part of the inheritance among the brethren, and live long on the New Earth. See Gen. xviii, 19. Truly, (as Bro. Bates has said,) "With what energy and zeal should the parents who keep the commandments, grasp these precious promises for their dear children; and beseech God for help and strength from the Holy Sanctuary, to bring their children to him, before the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come. At which time their wicked children will be cut down before their eyes, if they have neglected to lead them to God." And even at a time when "they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness:" When "destruction wasteth at noon-day:" When "the man clothed with linen" shall go "forth" and "slay utterly old and young," — little children, "but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my Sanctuary." See Eze. ix; xiv, 13-21. Ps. xci. Already, the anguish of soul felt by the mother of the child that apparently is irrecoverable, having no "ears to hear," cannot be described; and who can endure the future scenes, "to witness the plagues poured out upon their children, and realize it is because they have neglected their duty to them." Delay not to hearken to the admonitions of the Lord, even "while there is hope." Follow the example of Bro. Howland, with "little Henry." See Review and Herald, Vol. II, No. 5. O bring the children, the little child, even the infants to Jesus by "strong and living faith," — even like one of old, when he "cried out, saying, I beseech thee, look upon my son; for he is mine only child."