The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-30

EIE4N v tJlxL Deel
N in education within the past
so years. The place and the
power of childhood, and the
reverence extended to 1t, have
been enhanced beyond meas
ure. An entire new school of pedagogy
and a new philosophy Of child study has
arisen within a generation. Upon this
great new educational monument to
childhood, may be inscribed after the
fashion of scUlptors, Jesus Christ
fecit."
The world is ever rising to nobler
conceptions of what is meant when
Jesus took a little child into his arms;
although the tenderness and beauty OF
that spectacle have warmed the hearts
OF humanity for two thousand years.
Tho incident gains its real meaning,
however. from its association. Like
many other events, It cannot be un-
deretood apart from its surroundings.
Jesus and his band Of followers We're
back in Capernaum after the journey
UP into Caesarea Philippi where the
Transdguration had been enacted. In
this time had occurred the Passion
Week Of the North. Jesus had impress
siyely opened his heart concerning his
agony and death and resurrection. But
"They understood not the saying
The inadequacy Of friendship is as i'm
portaut a truth as the fellowship and
affinity Of friendship. No one Is fully
understood by any one else. The best
emblem Of friendship know is a mod
ern statue showing two figures grow
ing toward each other with a great
mass of marble intervening. Life never
fully understands life. ones nearest
and dearest may be miles removed
from him in full comprehension Of his
spirit. This pain Of being misunder-
stood was freshly AChrist's as he led his
disciples back to the scene Of their
former labors and fellowship at Caper-
naum.
While he was moved by the deepest
emotions that swayed his being, his
s-.IT.- CHI hcrr u
sympathetic friends, were sQuabbling
over. conflicting ambitions. It Is the
nature of man to look out for number
one. Selhshness characterizes the world.
Somethslg better. however, we have
right to expect from those who have
walked with Jesus. Yet here was this
little band of the chosen few who were
contending as to which would be great
est in the kingdom Of their Master, the
kingdom whose spiritual character they
had yet been unable to grasp. How this
all must have wounded the tender heart
of Jesus.
Not once nor twice was this bitter ex-
perience his. The mother Of John and
James later came seeking the same
boon for her sons, while the other dis
ciples looked jealously on. And at the
last supper, the farewell feast, within 4
few hours of the arrest of their Master.
the disciples fought with each other
about the chief seat at the supper
There is comfort for all the misunder-
stood IN the world IN the knowledge
that Jesus Christ himself was the most
misunderstood man that ever walked
the earth.
The Child in the Midst
A story is often a better answer than
an argument Jesus told what he
thought Of this unseemly strife by tak-
ing little child in his arms. in the
midst of the company. Verify 1 say
unto you, Except ye turn and become as
little children, ye shall in no wise enter
into the kingdom Of heaven" Instead
of achieving leadership. they might be
shut out altogether. Pers0nifled in the
little child which he held tenderiy in his
arms. was that better world ever near
us IN which we may live. This schem-
ing. ambitious, sordid, selfish manner
Of life which most of US live is not the
divine plan for US nor is 1t yet the best
plan that we could conceive for our
selves were we but to let our nobler
nature have free play. The ingenious
ness and artlessness Of childhood, and
its utter sincerity. are a rebuke to the
vain pretensions Of maturity. The way
Of childhood is the way Of love: love is
natural to babe. This. says Jesus,
ais the way Of the kingdom"
He sexes for his followers, not emil
nence, nor learning, nor position. but
the crown Of the simple heart. It is of
more than passing interest that Chris
tian folk are commonly regarded az a
simpler minded folk The worldly-wise
eneer at them and count themselves su-
perior: but who would exchange the
xruitless, empty bitter life Of the strug-