THE CHILDREN by Cora Wright

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

THE CHILDREN.

By Cora Wright

BY CORA WRIGHT.

The little ones! how we all love them, and how we should enjoy working for them.

Jesus is a lover of children, and how tender are his words spoken in behalf of innocent childhood. When here upon earth, he took them in his arms, and put his hands upon them, and blessed them. When the disciples saw the fond parents so eagerly taking their little ones to receive Christ’s blessing, they rebuked them; but the loving Saviour tenderly said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”

Yes, Christ in all his glory loves even the children, and his precious blood was shed for them, as well as for the older members of his family. Though he has ascended to Heaven, his great eye of love watches over them, and his ear is ever open to their little prayers. If we love him as we ought, we will enjoy laboring for those whom he loves.

When children are young, before they have cultivated wrong modes of thought, it is comparatively easy to direct their minds in proper channels, to teach them to contemplate the greatness and wisdom of God. This is the time to teach lessons of truth and right; for the education in childhood has a bearing upon the whole after-life. At this season the affections are the most ardent, the heart most easily reached; and they can easily be led to venerate and fear their Maker. If rightly instructed, they will see his wisdom and benevolence in everything that his hand has created; and this will call forth from them deep gratitude.

After they become older, and mingle more or less with the wicked world, their hearts become hardened, and their love for God is often lost. When their minds are once thus influenced, when evil seed has been sown, and wrong habits formed, it is almost impossible to mold the character anew.

In view of this, how carefully ought we to perform every duty toward them, however humble it may be. We cannot expect to instill right principles into the minds of those under our influence, unless our own hearts are in the proper condition. To secure this we must put forth every effort, and if we work with the right motive, we know that there is One who will ever lend a helping hand to the weakest of his earth-children.

Our compassionate Redeemer is looking down in love and sympathy, ready to hear our heartfelt prayers, and to render needed assistance. Then let us trust fully in him, and remember that we are dealing with minds,—working not only for the present, but for eternity.

“What now you do, you know not, But shall hereafter know, When the seed which you are sowing To a ripened field shall grow. ’Tis a rich young soil you’re tilling, Then scatter the good seed well; Of the wealth of the golden harvest, Eternity will tell.”