THE FAMILY ALTAR
September 2.
"Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them
not; for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14
God bless the little children ! What eloquent preachers they
are for us older people with their unquestioning trust in our care
and love. Do they not daily remind us of our Lord's saying:
"Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven"? How many a man and woman has learned
to pray again from their own soul while teaching their darling to
lisp its first prayer ! And how the unselfish and incessant care
of the little ones teaches us elders forbearance and patience and
simplicity ! What a strong bond of affection they establish between
all members of the household! Verily, Luther is right when he
says, we old folks eat with the little ones and not the little ones
with us. For their sake, that we might supply their wants, God
protects and blesses us, their guardians. And what a sweet com-
fort they prove in hours of deepest affliction to many a grieving
heart! Truly, children are a gift of God, and parents cannot be
too thankful for them. Yet it is awful to think how many of our
American parents neglect their most sacred duty to their children
by not bringing them to their Savior in Baptism and later to
faithful instruction in His holy, saving Word. They are robbing
their children of the divine right of being brought early to their
Savior and will have to give account to their God one day for
their negligence. Again, how many parents are so careless about
their acts or words in the presence of their little ones, forgetting
that they can give great offense to Christ's blood-bought little
lambs! "Take heed," our Savior warns, "that ye despise not one
of these little ones ; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels
do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For
the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost." Matt. 18,
10—12.)
Thank God for little children!
When our skies are cold and gray,
They fling a sunshine o'er our hearts,
And charm our cares away.
Dear mothers, guard these jewels
As sacred offerings meet,
A wealth of household treasures,
To lay at Jesus' feet.
