A Song FOR THE LITTLE ORES. "And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much 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." MARK X. 13-16. 出 OME, dear children, gather round me, leave awhile your books and toys, Come each one and nestle fondly close around my easy chair, Dimple-cheeked and tender-hearted, each with eager listening ear, Listen while I tell the story, richest, sweetest, brightest, best, How when big and grown-up people little ones would drive away, Suffer them to come to Me, and let them too enjoy My love, And the Saviour took the children in His loving arms and blessed them, And though many years have passed since that Saviour was on earth, He ascended up to Heaven to His home in the blue sky, But the gates to that bright dwelling none can ever enter in, Sin is disobeying Jesus, breaking God's most holy laws; Little children, look to Jesus in His childhood and His youth, Learn, like Him, to be obedient, and, like Him, to speak the truth; Never use improper language, be unjust, or try to steal, Never give another sorrow, but for others' sorrow feel: Love to learn, and learn to love, learn to keep the Sabbath day, And the seventh day is the Sabbath-Sabbath means the day of rest, For ourselves and for our servants, that they may not be oppressed: Be unselfish, little children, think not only of your play, Be not saucy, rude or idle, count how many precious hours God has lent them to us only, He requires them back again, When you rise from bed each morning, lowly bend upon your knees, After asking Him to bless you, think of Him the whole day long, If you ever feel you're tempted just to do some little thing, That your conscience says is sinful, straight your case to Jesus bring: He has promised to assist you, if you wish to do the right, Satan, as a roaring lion, seeketh whom he may devour, Ever gentle be and loving, with a modest, docile mind, Be the friend of all dumb creatures, who have not a voice to plead, Evermore remember Jesus, how He called the children near, And whatever else neglecting, seek His blessing night and day, All your sins to take completely, wash you white as driven snow, Then, dear children, bright-eyed darlings, clustering now about my chair, While my arms are clasped around you, smoothing your soft sunny hair, Then when all your life is ended, still rejoicing in His love, PREPARE TO MEET TEY GOD. "I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto Me, saith the Lord. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.". AMOS iv. 11, 12. |