The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-01
The Reverend
Crayton S. Brooks.
THE DYNAM|CS OF A
SINGLE Sentence.
to. but the very essence of, the highest alsi-

| to, but the very essence of, the highest alsi-
He does not teach the snlessness of the
child, as some conclude. Observation
| proves to all that while it is guiltleSs, and,
because of the atonement. saved before the
| years of accountability. 1t has a sinful ma
ture; He Is not speaking of the accidental
child. as an example, but the ideal child in
the elements of its moral nature. He Is
simply speaking of childhood in some of
It's universal traits. true types of those in
the Kingdom He does not confound the
weakness ana peculiarities of childish in
telect with childlike characteristics There
Is a great Inference between being childish
and childlike. Paul makes the distinction
When ne says: Brethren. be not children in
understanding; howbeit in malice be we in
fantS: but in understanding be We men,
one of the most striking elements of the
chlld-healt IS its trustfulness. 1t nestles.
Il hugs 1t clinss. it depends on others and
, we iiild no Letter term to express our faith
than chidlike trust. Absolutely helpless
!! and dependent as it is, 1t is happy and fear
less Its happiness of life and the freedom
from care and anxiety comes from the in
stlnctive and beautiful faith of its little
heaft. II never calculates, nor doubts its
trust in God to which we are called. A life
oi unwayering confidence in the love. the
justice the wisdom and the power of God,
ana al expectation of his faithful fnlfllment
OF every promise Too often. while not the
2retical intidels we practical ones in our
failure to take God at his word.
Iractabilty-the very essence of humili-
oy-annother clement. While child can ask
puseS'Ions hard enough for a philosopher
s sa many or them impossible to be an
t.sr. yet he comes as seeker after
truth perfectly docle and meek without
nrs5udice or contradiction. Spiritual truth
" l,u experience Is never discovered by ones
Inverness ana brightness-mere intellectu-
amy; revelation Is not the result of such
Processes Proc it is the reward of moral condi-
shrewd head that enters into Gods secrets
low aoW pure and natura! and warm is the
i i've 81 child Love is the very element of
Gated Gated, how easily are injuries forgiven and
ms ,ii nissunGerstandings forgotten. A child does
hc ..,rl hoid grudse like older folks.
me basis of child's Judgment of others !
IS character: not intellectually. nor social |
or financial standing. nor elegant appear |
GOOD or me Inc u1p i question is: is he |
loving. selfish or unseltish?' Its estimate is |
not one of accidental circumstances or pos
sessions. but moral worth. Instinctvely. it |
discerns character as we cannot by the
bunting of our moral sensibilties
The Christian is childlike in his judg-
pearance as on the heart. While there are
aiiversities Of gifts and distinctions in So
sy which cannot be overlooked. our
never these accidental conditions and cir
cunstances. 1t must be what people are, |
and not what they have or appear or pre-
tend to have. Goodness is more than gold. !
and purity. unselfshness more than place,
and love more than reputation. Ecclesias-
SftLi never TAKE the pace Oh |
real character
The guilelessness and undergraduates
Or childhood Is another characteristic of
true Christianity. How marked is this in
the naturalness and artlessness of all the
words and actions of child 1t has as yet
tailed to become thoroughly conscious of
self. with It's DISCUSSES and hypocrisies. 1t
speaks of self in the objective: 1t speaks
about itself as sincerely of another
sometimes greatly to the embarrassment of
It's elders
The Christians speech. testimony. serv-
ce and self-sacrifce is natural and self-for-
yetful. Whenever the motive of show. self !
glory. or the praise or the blame Of men
actuates the life. 1t has lost its true value
IN the sight of God. and also in the sight
Of men: Here is a safe test for our stand
ng before God. Here. too. is sure test
10 the power of our Christianity on n gain
saying world What is more impressive
han the sincerity of self-forgetfulness of
ruly consecrated life! And how detestihle
md repugnant is that life where self fills
he entire foreground. every act being the
sounding board for echoing back its praises
If self. and often the most conspicuous
is robbed of our appreciate .
because self is at the bottom of it ALL"