The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-30
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ROOM FOR TIE CHILDREN
BY MRS WILLIAM GALLAGHER.

1SlA At4A t0uAcf e"ihSihs HO4 ASO0 W ~i40
fro, turning and twisting unessily, gazing in
oDen-eyed sstOnishment. az the older people,
that they could sic still while such long
chapter was being read. Then kneeling be-
fore her chair, crammed her two chubby fists
into her eyes 60 keep them shut. But it was
TOO early in the morning for that; they
opened Of themselves, ana, as if feeling the
utter hoplessness Of the attempt she amused
herself by counting the holes in the oane-seat
Of the chair, and thrusting her fngures
through, ill the tips of them were rosy,
heaving a sigd Of relief when she heard the
Amen Yes, my eyes were open too, in
more than one sense, aud looked back into
my own life, and remember how like little
Mabels experience was my own for years,
during THO time -ss ap.,rt For family worship.
L was hard to sit still 30 long, and it was
not until had become the proud owner of
First Reader, and a place in the class which
had reached that advanced state Of mental
Development, thas that hour became pleas
an ,ae 80 me. Then I vas given large
typed Testament, aud seated by mother, with
her knitting needle to point the way, SPELL
ed the little words and skipped the long ones,
and felt it a real pleasure in doing my part
as well as the rest.
When the Christian believer comes with
his household to God at the morning or
evening heur, he has a right to expect a
blessing upon each and all, even to the least
Of them; but they must all have a share in
the worship, and ask for the blessing, each
for himself We know, in many houses,
press of business and household cares seem
to make it impossible to "read around " in
the morning, waiting for the "lisping, STAN
meri0g tongue Of the little ones but see
how eagerly they watch for their turn to
come; how much interest they take in the
verses read. Can you not, for this, lose half
an hour of your morning nap? But" said
a lady friend, speaking on this subject, 4
never awake even in time for my private de-
votions. work till late in the evening, and
sleep until the noise of the household or the
rising bell awakens me- Then the days
work begins again, and there is not a moment
for prayer or reading.
"Did you ever tell the Lord about it, and
ask Him to awaken you said the other.
81 never thought Of such thing, but 1
viii, the friend replied.
Not long after they met again.
"Only think ' said the lady, " the very
next morning after our conversation, / awOke
an hour before the the bell rang The
house was still; all the rest were asleep; but
it seemed as though voice said softly in my
ear Arise, and pray" And every morn
ing since, have had nv hour for prayer.
Wasn't it strange tia, God should hear my
prayer so soon Rather say, strange didn't
ask Him before,
"Prayer and proveuder hinder no man s
Journey" said a friend, as we arose hurried
ly from MS breakfast table to catch an early
train. "We'll have time, at least, to read
the 117th Psalm, only two verses, aud repeat
the Lords Prayer"
But our thought ia more especially of the
children's part in this morning service. In
many families each ut,lo one has verse to
repeat, learned the day before at mothers
knee, and it is wonderful with whas power
Gods Word comes to Us sometimes from the
lips of these "babe5 and suekiDgs." And
it rests so much with you. fathers or moth
ere, who loved this. service, to make it
pleasant one. A natural manner is worth
oultigating; Danish long face, and solemn
expression; make tho family circle as small
az possible aud the little ones comfortable;
select chapters the children can understand;
explain those hard words at which they
stumble; ask jamie what this verse means,
and Katie about another; give every one
chance for q word of suggestion or applica-
ton. o, il we could only gather into our
hearts the W0rtb Of it, how many ways could
each one sugges5 to make the hour delight
It was our Saviour who taught US to say,
Sour Father In that near relation, be-
fore Cbrist'5 coming, the Jews had never
known God. And 80 to US that prayer must
always be full of tender meanings But it
does nos express all our needs, so we come
to God out Of the fulness of our wants, and
in our own words pray to Hin.
Aal The little ones surely fail to cOwpre-
bend the long worda, and some of the petit
tiOns in the Lords prayer; a few simple
words of prayer for them by name, or which
they can utter FOR themselves, mean more to
them, help them more during the day. Said
q friend, "Grace is a little thing, not three
years oil yet, and she used to. be very rest
less during family worship. But now her
mother teaches her verse, an easy one, to
repeat day BY day, and this gives her some
thing to think abous while we ere reading.
When We kleel in prayer, she ne8tles her
curly head close to me, aud listens eagerly
for her part Of the prayer; then l hear her
sweet voice lispiUg after me, God bless
Gracie; make her a good girl to-day, just
Ike Jesus Often during the day, when she
is impatient or troublesome a word to re-
mind her she has asked jesus to make her a
enod cir. will touch her heart in moment.