Il. Wuy pip THE CHILD ao To Jesus? He might have hesitated and said, “ He does not mean it;” or, “ The disciples are rough, and will push me back, or laugh at me;” or, “ Perhaps I had better wait a little, till I am older.” Instead of this, he went at once, and went as he was. There are reasons why you, as children, should go to him. 1. Because conscience says you need him. Conscience is more sensitive, and speaks more clearly in childhood than in age; and this is an evidence that childhood is the appointed and the best time to hear God’s voice. 2. Because affection says you need him. Some children feel much secret grief because they have an impression that no one cares much for them. Their brothers and sisters are more popular than they are, so they are always supposing that they are being slighted. Or perhaps they are at school, and are thoroughly homesick among strangers. How pleasant it is to feel that One who is always near loves you personally, intensely, fervently! and how naturally should your love flow forth responsively to him! 3. Because energy says you need him. A child is naturally active. The fingers itch to touch what is forbidden, to try what is unknown; and mischief often results from no evil intention. All that pent-up energy is from God; stored up for the doing of life’s work, and the bearing of its burdens. And the Lord wants in his kingdom these vigorous frames and powerful minds, that he may sanctify and bless them—that the children may lead off the hosannas in which the werld will join in the New Jerusalem. 4. Because hope says you want him. Every child has some hope of becoming better and greater. It is a sign that Paradise is lost, but that neaven is possible, else we might be satisfied. Many boys and girls have quiet times, little spoken of to others, when they say, “I wish I could be better; that I could get over this evil habit; that I was steadfast, pure, and true; that I loved God, and was glad he loved me.” That is the time when Jesus is near, when he stretches out his arms and says, “Come unto me;” and in answer to the secret prayer he will take the little one in his arms, put his hands on him, and bless him.—A, R.
Ver. 41.—Christian beneficence. Loving consideration for others and generous. kindness to them are among the fruits of the Spirit and the signs of true discipleship. Their effects it would not be easy to exaggerate. The law of kindness for Jesus’ sake is of ail things the most likely to remove prejudices against Christianity, and to brine
oH. Ix. 1—50.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 29
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together those whose interests are separate, so as to ensure the salvation of society, Even on lower grounds, therefore, this law demands our obedience, for there is much in our social condition to cause anxiety to the Church. Questions once carefully ignored are being boldly discussed ; classes of men whose ignorance and poverty made them political nonentities are now powers in the State. Capitalists and producers are discussing anew their respective rights; owners of land are being openly asked whether the proportion they have received of its value is not greater than their due, And in all these movements agitators are exaggerating claims, some of which have in them germs of right. Meanwhile it is to be feared that religion, as a factor in the settlement of such disputes, is being disregarded, and debate is rife whether indeed the Christian faith is longer credible. Anything which would suddenly change the relations of various classes, any outburst of the communistic or nihilistic spirit, would bring about far more evil than good. Evils must be abolished now as they were in the early days of the Christian faith. When slaves were held in cruel bondage, and profligacy assumed hideous forms, and accumulated wealth appeared side by side with abject want, Christ and the teachers who followed him aroused no servile war, but by word and life showed a more excellent way. They taught that the highest bliss was not in abundance of possessions, but in abundance of spiritual life; that the loftiest dignity was to be found not in the indulgence, but in the denial, of self; that all a man possessed he'held as a responsible steward ; and that those removed from:others in social position were brothers and sisters to be cared for. All this was exhibited in the life of One who went about doing good, and was seen in its ultimate victory on the cross where Christ died for us, that we henceforth might live no more to ourselves. One
hase of this law of kindness is brought before us in our text, where its manifestation
recognized as a germ of discipleship.
I, Tux pury or CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE is asserted throughout Scripture. Under the old dispenzation, the blessedness of him who considers the poor was exemplified in the experience of Job, and of the widow of Sarepta, and of multitudes besides, The duty was made atill more clear in the New Testament; and this is noteworthy, because the disciples of our Lord were themselves poor, so that no one of them could give out ot his superabundance; and even of our Lord himself this was true, though he so often showed that it was more blessed to give than to receive. On this principle the Church acted. Spontaneously Barnabas sold his estates to aid those who were in special difficulties because they were cast out of trade and home, and his example was contagious. There was no law passed that Christians should do this; but though as a compulsory law it would have been an unsound dictum for all times, it was right and good when Christians, moved by pity for their poor persecuted brethren, distributed as every man had need. Spontaneity gives worth to such acts. He who thus gives, though it be but a cup of cold water, shall not lose his reward.
Il. Ts opscors or CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE, All less favoured than ourselves have a claim, not necessarily on our money, but on our help and sympathy, in some form, when an opportunity comes for service in Christ’s Name. 1. Human relationship has its claims on uz, and he who does not “ provide for his own,” even though he benefits some relizious organization, fails in his duty to his Lord, 2. Neighbourhood has claims onus. No follower of Christ can be like the rich man, who would give alms to be seen of man, but would let poor Lazarus die at his gate, fighting for crumbs with the dogs. 8. Fellowship in the same Church has claims on us, though those needing our aid may be least in knowledge, least in capacity, least in attractiveness, or least in desert. 4, But we are to do good unto all men, though especially to such aa are of the house- hold of faith. Christ died for all, and in his Name, for hig sake, in his spirit, we must seek to aid them, even though it only be by a cup of cold water.