The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-08
Children Column.
HUGH
BY GENERAL o. o. HOWARD.

One day many years ago, when sta
toned at West Point, l mad chat with
a little boy who was then about four
years old, which has made strong i'm
preston upon my memory. He is now a
grown man, of good standing in the COM
munity where he lives, aud might object
to my using his name. Let us then call
him Hugh.
When our conversation took place he
was sitting upon my knee, aud looking
up with thoughtful gaze into my face
After some little talk about his home,
his plays and his friends, wherein he dis
played, | thought, much intelligence for
so little fellow, put to him some ques-
lions that are wont to trouble older
heads.
What kind of place is heaven,
Hugh ?" said.
"Oh, mamma says it's lovely I"
Who go there, Hugh? ?"
why, lots of children-lots of people"
DO bad people-wicked children go
to heaven?"
No, no; good ones, they go there"
3" Must they be very good, very clean
and pure, like the whitest dress?"
" Yes, | think like mammals new one.
1t is so pretty-so white"
Then l thought 1 would try him by
little closer questioning to see what he
would say.
Have you ever done anything wrong.
Hugh?
Yes, I have everybody does wrong"
he promptly replied.
" But, Hugh, l am talking to you.
Have yOu ever done wrong?"
" Yes, l was naughty this morning.
Mamma said, Hugh, you're bad boy.
| took away the rattle from little sister.
1t made her cry. She struck me; so l
pushed her over then l ran away"
" well, Hugh, if you've done wrong,
and there is little dark spot on your
heart, how can you go to that pure, clear
place which you call heaven ?"
Hugh remained very quiet, looking
down for few moments. Then, raising
his head, he fixed his large blue eyes on
mine and murmured in low voice Just
above whisper, Jesus aOiU save me r.
Alter this to me unexpected answer he
covered his face with both hands, and
so6bing laid his head upon my breast.
Perhaps it was not wise to so press the
heart of little child. | do not give the
incident in order to show the wav to deal
with little ones. But, ask, can a grown
man make better answer?
How we'll it would be-would it not
If we could catch the spirit of this
child's answer, Jesus will save me"
When said by us with a complete, settled
confidence in the mind and heart, how
secure we are how careful to do all in
our power to please him Our Lord.
who understood all hearts, inquired OF
his disciples, Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called
little child unto him and set him in the
midst of them and said, Verify l say
unto you, except We be converted, and
becomes as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom OF heaven
Suppose now, as some do, we declare
that Jesus meant the kingdom of heaven
for this life for he said, THE kingdom
of heaven is within you" Yes, it is very
true it is spiritual kingdom, and has
for every one that comes within its borders
not only bright hereafter but beauti
full fruitage in this life Still, how very
plain is little Hugh's method of entering
there. By the willing, the able, Masters
help we enter here into the rich gardens
of sweet fellowship, precious smympathy
and perennial affection We enter in.
The Lord himself at the gateway removes
all the dark spots from our hearts.
Sooner or later, in his own inscrutable
way he brings us into complete union
with himself, and so with each other.
He only asks us to exercise toward him
the simple trust of little child. 1t is, /
think, difficult to imagine religion sim
pier, more precious to each of us and
mole all embracing than this Christian
Union.