Milford chronicle., 1903-03-20
Tne crad1e,a 1nnuence.


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The Cradles influence.
First, Naasson's cradle must have
been an important part of his life's
ministry. 1t is very common custom
for people to sneer at the helpful in
duence of cradle. Many critics are
apt to say that all a baby is good for
is to eat and sleep. to cry and get sick
and to keep the house in uprOar from
the time he gets into it until, as a
young man, he goes forth to start a
home of his own. For nearly two
years at least the mother is bound to
that cradle as firmly as if she were
linked to it with a chain of STEEL For
four or five years the baby is utterly
helpless. If turned out in the cold, he
would not be able to take as much care
of himself as a five-month-Old puppy.
For the first fifteen years of a child's
life his opinion upon any subject is
practically valueless. The first twenty
years are for the most part preparation ]
for life's work rather than the achieve /
ment Of any high purpose. There
fore" some one says to me. Il do not /
see how you can affirm that Naasson's
cradle could have been very impor-
tant part Of his life's ministry"
While admitting these facts. | still
contend that the first few years Of a
child's life have mOmentOus infu-
ence. They are important not only to
the child. but to his parents. Who has
not witnessed the influence of a cradle
III house? | appeal to your own ex-
perience. 1t must be in essential prin-
ciples parallel Of mine MY cradle
and the cradles of my brother and sis
tiers had hallowing influence in our
nome. They were an inspiration to my
father and mother. My father preach
ed better sermons on Sunday because
he knew that in his nursery the chill /
dren with whom he rOmped during the !
week would look to him as an example
ana model My mother was all the
more consecrated and circumspect be-
cause her daughters were looking to !
her for guidance and maternal train q
ing. And, my brother. when any one 4
says that your childhood amounted to =
nothing. you deny it. By the sainted d
graves Of your dead father and mother 9
you declare that you know they were d
better Christians and better citizens q
because you. as a little stranger. once Il
crept into their hearts. Your parents c
not only gave you to the Lord Jesus II
Christ wien they stood with you at s.
the baptismal altar but they also at D
the same time, on your account. re- Il
lewed their conservation VOWS to the Il
christ who loved their little child. h
Child In Camp. m
The purifying. ennobling and Chris. b;
influence Of a little child was as
'nce Illustrated by brother minister b'
n the following story: One day. in the
ar west a stalwart miner was return
ng to his encampment when he found
lost child She was beautiful little ia
irl of about i've summers. "Where are to
our father and mother little one?" 10
sked the miner Don't know" said te
be baby. What are you going to m,
OF Well" she answered, not the lei
east abashed, 81 guess / will 90 home ar
nth you and wait until mamma comes mi
nd gets me-" The miner. with a laugh. tn
licked her up in his strong arms and SO
-arted up the mountain side. The lit. 20
e girl in his embrace was not bit Ey
fraid She laughed and sang and sol
all the way. When the min SOL
oa mo 20 "a, M, l,o .,ot-.4 ~ NJ