 
Illustration. Eli And Samuel. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14. 1. What is said of the fifth commandment? “Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.” Eph. 6:2. 2. What is promised those who honor their father and their mother? “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12. 3. What does God desire to teach the children? “Come, ye children, harken unto Me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Ps. 34:11. 4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10. 5. What is said of the poor but wise child? “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.” Eccl. 4:13. [pg 730]6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children? “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14. 7. How did He show that He loved them? “And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:16. 8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures close? “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6. Note.—From this we learn that while disobedience to parents and the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1, 2), God's message for the last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and bind the hearts of parents and children together. 9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next world as compared with those of this life? “They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” “The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 65:23; 11:8, 9. A pair of very chubby legs Incased in scarlet hose, A pair of little stubby boots With rather doubtful toes, A little kilt, a little coat, Cut as a mother can— And, lo! before us strides in state The future's “coming man.” Ah! blessings on those little hands, Whose work is yet undone, And blessings on those little feet, Whose race is yet unrun. And blessings on the little brain, That has not learned to plan. Whatever the future holds in store, God bless the “coming man.” |
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