LI.

MATT. XIX. MARK X. LUKE XVIII.

While Jesus abode in this place, the words which he spoke sunk deeply into the hearts of many. We have a touching proof of this. They brought their little children to him, that He might bless them. This simple deed of their's shows that at least they had understood his loving-kindness, and that they believed He had the power to impart some great good. St. Matthew writes, that these little children were brought to him,

MATTHEW xix. 13. "That he should put his hands on them and pray;

St. Mark and St. Luke, "That he should touch them;" but all of them tell, that "when his disciples saw it, they rebuked those that brought them." And

MARK X. 14-17. " When Jesus saw it, he was displeased, and said unto them, 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. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Do we not seem to see Jesus" the Lord of all power and might," with those little children in his arms? The hand that created the worlds,* caresses them; the voice that bade the raging storm "be still," softly speaks to them to bless them. And it is thus that we can in Jesus best see "the express image of his Father," the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince

of Peace, Ruler of worlds and worlds, who yet forgetteth not the young ravens when they cry unto him for food. His voice speaks in thunder through the nations, yet hushes to its rest the moaning infant, who, without his care, must die. Thus we see Jesus with the little children in his arms, "The image of the invisible God."* How different from his disciples, who with all the littleness of the mind of man, "rebuked those who brought them," thinking, no doubt, that it was beneath the dignity of their Lord to take heed for children, too young to understand his words! But Jesus was much displeased at this, and said," Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”+ These words of our blessed Lord seem to assure us that infants are capable of receiving a spiritual blessing from Him. It is sweet to remember this scene when we bring our babes to Christ in holy baptism. He rebuked those who would have kept back these little ones from him, because of their tender age. Why then should any fear to bring their babes to him? He did not say then, keep them till they are older, till they can understand and believe my word. Why should He say so now! Those children of Jews had each, at eight days old, been received into covenant with God; why are the children of Christians to be less favoured? Why must they grow up without the church? Are they not of the true Israel of God? why then should they not be as early received into covenant with his blessed Son? If it is true that "of such is the kingdom of heaven," who can forbid them to be baptized? Remember this, oh ye parents, and bring your babes to Christ, even while they yet are babes. You cannot see him now, but

*Col. i. 15.

By God's own command each Jewish child was circumcised on the 8th day, if born of His people. All others were circumcised at whatever age they were received into covenant with Him, for without this rite they could not be numbered among His people.

still He takes them in his arms and blesses them. Think of it, oh ye little ones, and try to understand why Jesus says,"of such as ye are the kingdom of God." This is the cause; your mother's love is enough to make you happy; her word is every thing for you; could you be a moment happy, if she was vexed or displeased with you? could you rest till you knew that she had forgiven you? You trust her promises and believe all she tells you; you feel safe even in the dark, if you know that she is watching close beside you; could any stranger make up to you for the loss of your mother? Even so must you love, and trust, and feel for God your Father, in heaven, for this is the very mind and spirit of all his children now with him in glory. Oh strive, as years pass over you, and you cease to be little children; strive thus to feel for him, for thus shall you be of the kingdom of God: and you, children of larger growth, oh remember, that to the latest hour of life, it is thus you must believe, trust, obey, and utterly depend upon your God and Saviour, for He has said,-" Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter therein." Is this difficult? It is; if one thing be wanting, that thing which is the bond between the mother and her child, love. And love is not wanting on God's part, neither need it be wanting on your's; "Ask, and ye shall receive." Let this verse be true of you, "We love God because He first loved us," then will you be able with child-like trust, to believe, obey, and rejoice in him, for all things are possible to love. Child-like love knows the fountain from which all its needs can be supplied, fears not to ask, for it is assured that it is itself beloved.

Father, I know that all my life

Is portioned out for me,

And the changes that will surely come,

I do not fear to see;

But I ask Thee for a present mind

Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro ;

Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child
And guided where I go.

So I ask Thee for the daily strength

To none that ask denied ;

And a mind to blend with outward life

While keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space,

So Thou be glorified.

There are briars besetting every path,

Which call for patient care;

There is a cross in every lot,

And an earnest need for prayer;

But a childlike heart that leans on Thee,
Is happy anywhere.

A. L. W.

LII.

MARK X. 17-31.

The Lord Jesus having blessed the little children, passed on his way. His last journey to Jerusalem was now to begin, and as we, in thought, go with him, we shall find that at every step wisdom, and goodness, and mercy brightened the path He trod, stirring up all around him.

The very first step of this last journey is marked in a way which may teach many of us a lesson we greatly need. The fame of Jesus had spread around, and though few believed him to be the promised Messiah, many were convinced that He was a teacher of righteousness; and so some of those that were in earnest in their wish to be saved, unwittingly came to the only Saviour who could save them; but, unless they came as

little children, it was in vain; none but the humble and earnest in heart could learn. Let us attend while we read, that,

MARK X. 17. "When he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

St. Matthew tells us that this was a young man,* and St. Luke, that he was a ruler; we find from the short history given of him, that he was rich, had very great possessions, and that he was of a good and upright character, therefore he must have been highly esteemed by his fellow-men. It is plain also, that he thought well of himself, and imagined that he had "a conscience void of offence; " yet he felt that something more was needed to win heaven, and he hoped that Jesus could tell him of this something more. He was right. Jesus, and He alone, could do this; but would he, the rich, the young, the highly-esteemed ruler be willing to learn? The first thing that was needful for him to know was, that there is an entire want of all real goodness in the very nature of man; and to show him this, the Lord Jesus took up his very first words, even the title "Good Master," which out of respect, he had given to himself. When the young ruler had said unto him,"Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" in answer,

Verse 18. "Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good, but one, that is God."

It seems strange to those who read without much thought, that He should say this, He who claims to be "the Son of the living God; "+ but his meaning seems to be clearly this,"Why, (for what reason) callest thou me good?-there is none

*Matt. xix. 20-22.

† Matt. xvi. 16, 17. John vi. 32-69.