We learn, in the fourth place, that children are never too young to recewe the grace of God. Zacharias is informed that his son "shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."
There is no greater mistake than to suppose that infants, by reason of their tender age, are incapable of being operated upon by the Holy Spirit. The manner of His work upon a Uttle child's heart, is undoubtedly mysterious and incomprehei^ible. But so also are all His works upon the sons of men. Let us beware of limiting God's power and compassion. He is a merciful God. With Him nothing is impossible.
Let us remember these things in connection with the subject of infant baptism. It is a feeble ob- jection to say that infants ought not to be baptized, because they cannot repent and believe. If an infant can be filled with the Holy Ghost, he is surely not un- worthy to be admitted into the visible church. Let us remember these things specially in the training of young children. We should always deal with them as responsi- ble to God. We should never allow ourselves to suppose that they are too young to have any religion. Of course we must be reasonable in our expectations. We must not look for evidences of grace, unsuitable to their age and capacities. But we must never forget that tbe heart which is not too young to sin, is also not too young to be fiUed with the grace of God.
We learn, in the last place, from these verses, the character of a really great and mcceaaful minister of God. The picture is set before tis in a striking manner by the angel's description of John the Baptist. He is one who