Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-03-05
for tn, Weekly Telegraph.

Mr.. EDITOR In n recent Is sue of the Cieye.
land Herafd, l noticed an article, signed by "A
Presbyterian in which are some rather severe
structures upon the course pursued BY the Rev
E. r. Hanimond, In the series of meetings he
has been holding in Cincinnaii which have
been signally blessed ia tie Conversion Of
miny Of the ytuih Of that city. . ...
Many OF your readers are probably aware OF
the fact, that the labors Of this eminent revi-
valist are chiefly devoted 10 the young II
may use the term, they are a speciality lie be.
lieyes-and rightly we think--tl1at ariong the
children and youth may be found the most
promising field Of labor tile most inviting to
the seryaot Of Christ If lie would reap the lar.
gest spiritual haryest With minds easily i'm.
pressed with conscienccs tender aud active
they gladly receive the truth from the lips Of
Chrisi's under-shepherd or any Of His faithful
teachers.
Christians generally are beginning to regard
special labors for the conversion of tie young
as Of first inipoftancc. We see this manifested
in the increased labors o'f !lic Church IN Sab.
bath School Instruction In holding State and
County 5. 5. Con9entlons and in the S. School
songs and literature.
The criticisms referred 10 this feature of the
meeting Mr.. Hammond requested the chill
dren who were rejoicing in a new-found hope
to write him letters, stating freely their expert.
ence, their desires, drd joys hopes. Many n
these letters were read to the Various congrega.
tions
"a P" inserts several of these letters from
children o, TO- II and 70, years of age, which
Mr.. Ii. lad thus read-aii breathing that in
tensity Of feeling that JOY and peace that
deep love for Jesus so characteristic OF the
young convert
Mr.. II. frequently invited them, also, TO come
forward upon the platform by him aud unite
in singing and other devotional exercises.
"a p" objects 10 all This undue excitement"
amcng such children; that they are too easily
carried away and under the Impulse Of the
moment they act as they would not if reason
and judgment were allowed to direct. And he
fears when the excitement shall have pass.d
away they will forget what they have profess
cd 10 be and become more hardened than be
fore. Therefore he fegte,s that such childish
letters should have been publicly read and he
fears that religion and especially Presbyterian
ism viii be brought into disreputc.
Now it seems 70 me that the writer has for
gotten that the most precious promises and ex-
h h)rtaions to seek the better life, % be found
in tire Bible are ffade to tl'e young Through
out the Bible God has indicated lie value He
places upon their proper religious instruction.
And if He didnot desire and exp, ct they would
early learn to love and serve Him, then why
all those commands, exhortati9ns and promi
ses?
Christ was ever deeply interested in children
and often blessed them or held them up as pat
terms for his disciples. When Christ made his
triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the were
crying in the temple, ard saying, Hosanna to
the son of David the chief priests and scribes
we're sore displeascd, and said unto Christ
iiearrst thou what these say And Jesus saith
Yea, nave yc not read Out of the mouths OF
babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.
If, tier, 'he Master so approved and so glad
ly received their praise, is it the province o
the servant to decry and disparaGe their wor-
ship?
"Sullrr these little ones to come to me-"
Was the command OF Him who, on the cross,
bowed His anointed head, and with His blood
Purchased redemption for our fallen race
And blessed they who to that holy task
Devote the energies of their young years,
Teaching, with pious care, the dlwning Iigh,
Of infant intellect TO know the Lord.