infe.ncy, dedicating them to him in holy baptism, aaking him to embrace them with the arms of his mercy, to put his hands upon them and bless them. We must bring them to him in prayer, praying for them ourselves, as the poor father prayed for the lunatic boy, teaching them to lift up their own childlike hearts to God as soon as their lips can utter the words of prayer, We must bring them to Christ by tho training of a Chri~tian homo, by holy_example; carefully avoiding the danger of laying a sturnbling- \Jlock ID the way of the little ones by any word or deed of ours. The responsibilities under which we lie towards the children of our families should be a strong additional motive for the cultivation of holiness. We must bring them to Christ by a Christian education, giving them that inestimable privilege which Timothy bad received from bis grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice-the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures from childhood-from infancy (&..ro lip•<f>ovs, 2 Tim. iii. 16). The Lord is pleased with those who thus bring the little ones to him; be is displeased with those who would keep them from him; for, he sa.ith, of such is the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them, as it belongs to the poor in spirit, and to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The kingdom of heaven is theirs; they are by the gift of God entitled to its privileges. Surely, then, they will be received into the kingdom of glory if they are taken hence in the comparative innocence of childhood. We cannot doubt but that be who said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come nnto me," will gather the lambs into his bosom in the kingdom of his Father. '.!.'he kingdom is theirs, but not theirs only. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." The childlike in heart are true children of the kingdom; they receive the kingdom of God as a little child; they believe with the simple earnestness of children; they are poor in spirit, like the little ones; they are truthful, unaffected, real, Let us seek for that childlike simplicity and transparency of heart; let us pray, let us strive after it. It is the character of Christ's chosen, his beloved. "He laid his hands on them, and departed thence." He gave the desired blessing: "He took them up in his arms, laid his hands upon them, and blessed them." Happy children I Happy those who by the grace of Christ and the cleansing, quickening power of his Spirit, retain, or reco,er, the freshness, the simplicity, the comparative purity, of childhood I LESsoxs. 1. Imitate the Perrean parents; bring the little ones to Christ. 2. Let none dare to despise children ; the Lord cares for them and loves them. 3. Teach them at home, in Sunday schools; the Lord is pleased with those who help to train them for him.
V crs. 16-30.-T/,e you,ng ruler. L Hrs INTERVIEW WITH CHRIST. 1. His guation. Christ was "gone forth into the way" (Mark x. 17); he was leaving Perma; his ministry there was ended. But there was a young man, a ruler of the synagogue, a man of large possessionB and of blameless life, who came running and kneeled to him. Perhaps he had already felt the supreme goodness of Christ, the holiness of hiii teaching; but his position, his Jewish prejudices, had hitherto prevented him from becoming a disciple of the Lord. Now the Lord was departing; if he hesitated longer, he would be too late. He had lived an upright, honourable life, but he felt that there was something lacking yet; there was a void in his heart, a yearning which he could not satisfy. Perhaps this great 1.'eacher might help him. There was no time to lose; he hastily me.rle up his mind, and ran after Christ. Thus far he is an example to us. Earthly rank, earthly riches, will not fill the heart; we need something more-we need Christ. We may be late in seeking him ; we have wasted much time and lost many opportunities. The Lord is long-suffering; he is still near at hand ; but it may soon be too late. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near." Come running, kneeling to him in lowly supplication; he will tarry on hie way; be will listen to the suppliant's prayer. So the young ruler came now_. "Good Master," he said, "what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal hfe?" It sounds like the question of the jailor at Philippi, "What must I do to be saved?" nut it was not so genuine, so natural, so heart-felt. There was an element of_ truth, some real desire; but there was something of ostentation, of self-confidence; little of that child.like spirit which the Lord had so highly commended. He _thou~ht too much of his past uprightness. He thought, opparently, that eternal life might bo earned by some great and uoble deed. 2. The Lor~• an,wer, "Why askest thou me cm. XIX. 1-30.] TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. :MATTIIEW. 257