The Tupelo journal., 1903-06-26

gllN % "ssa IL, he parents s :
, or teacher under
9 standhowto bring
- out and unfold
the stories of children and child life
Contained therein. The presence of
the gentle babes lends its charm to
the sacred pages. The sound of chill
dren's feet is heard, and their voices
make sweet music. The story of the
baby Isaac, who came to gladden. the
home of that aged couple; of Moses,
resting in his little ark of bulrushes
amidst the reeds fringing the banks Oh
the Nile, and. being found and adopted
by the daughter of the powerful king;
g of Samuel, the gentle child III served
in the temple and heard God speak;
of David, the brave shepherd lad; OF
the Summarizes son, a gift from God
in answer to the prayer of the proph-
ct; of the little Hebrew slave at the
court of Naaman the leper, pointing
the way to the true God and cleansing;
of Jesus at Bethlehem, with the an
gels singing over His cradle, and wise
men from the east coming to worship
and offer their rich gifts; of Jesus in
the temple, when He first went up
with His parents to Jerusalem, at the
passover feast; of all the beautiful in
cidents in which the Lord during His
ministry recognized children, blessed
them, healed them, and paid the eXalt-
ed tribute to them of declaring that
- 49, 1.rrInpn which
He came TO establish must become as
q little child. And speaking of that
time which is yet to come, when the
wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with
the kid; and the calf and the young
lion, and the failing together" Scrip
ture goes on to declare that "a little
child shall lead them Let us antici-
pate that day which seems so far in
the future, and let a little child lead us
to-day, yes, and teach us, too.
TO-DAY is being celebrated in the
| Sunday schools all over this land as
Children's Day. The tread of chill
dren's feet is heard. and their story
is told in song and verse. Songbirds
and flowers lend their music and fra
GRANGE to the day. Everything speaks
of that charming freshness and beau
ty whiehisi nseparable from childhood.
And because it is Children's Day it is
but fitting hat we should speak for
the children and of the children. We
want to tell the story of a little lad
whose pathway crossed that which
Jesus was travelling, and whose simple
deed has lived in the sacred pages of
Gods word to this day. Only one little
verse is devoted to his biography. We
do not know his name. Scripture does
not tell us anything about his home or
his parents. We nave only thirteen lit
tie words, most of them of one syllable,
to tell us about this lad, and they simply,
state that he was near Jesus, and had
in his bag, or pouch, five little round
cakes and two small dried fishes. And
net by reading between the lines we
may know much concerning him, and
learn many lessons.
EIRST of all, we want to learn all we
Il can about the incidents and circum-
stances connected with the lad as he
is introduced to us by our text.
Jesus has been performing many mir
acles at ~Capernaum, and in the region
round about. All, how many homes He
frightened, sobs were turned to songs
of Joy, tears were wiped away, and
smiles brought to faces that were dis
torted with pain and trouble. Into
every home where Jesus went there a
change was wrought. And it is SO even
to-day. The homes where Jesus is
invited in as guest, and where He
rules in the hearts of those dwelling
there, discord, and unhappiness, and
trouble have to fee away. And be-
cause Jesus did so much good, as
He travelled through Galilec and Caper-
naum great crowds followed Him.
But it panied Jesus to know that it
was curiosity, and not faith, which
and so He withdrew with His disciples
into a mountain on the other side of
the lake across from Capernaum. But
the eager, expectant crowds sought
Him out, travelling the long, weary
way around the shore of the lake. And
when Jesus saw them He began to
question the disciples as to how
they were to be fed in that will
derness place, "for He Himself
knew what He would do" 1t is
at this point hat Andrew speaks up
and directs attention to this lad, who
has the five barley loaves and two
small fishes. Some day when I reach
nv eternal home in the Heavenly City
I-expect to meet this lad, and hear
from his own lips all this wonderful
story. 1t may be your privilege, as
well as mine, if you are trusting in
Jesus for SALVATION. But let us not be
content to- wait until then to learn
some of the lessons which he may
teach US.
SCRIPTURE does not give us the
y name of the boy. 1t may have been
known to the disciples. 1t certainly
was to Jesus. 1t is known and records
ed in Heaven. But when the Holy
Spirit guided the pen of John the name
was left out and we only know the lad
bv the part which he had in this won