The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-02-07
OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM"
RICHARD METCALF, in The Commoner.
the earth with little children. +"

IL.
How often, in the homes of the world.
mas that same song of gratitude been
sung! How often have careless men
and reckless women been drawn from
the danger line by the recollection of
little ones whose future is dependent
upon them! The man who doubted the
existence of God until he felt a great
love for pure woman and then be-
lleve on the theory that there must be
good God, else there could not be
such holy love, must have become a
stalwart among the stalwarts in the
Christian hosts when a little child
came to brighten the home, to bless
the union and to make indissoluble
the ties that bound the parents hearts.
Recently number of men from va
rious walks of life were assembled in
hotel corridor. They engaged in a
discussion of the scriptures and it de-
veloped that many of these men had
been careful readers. Someone asked
for opinions as to the most beautiful
passage in the Bible. Several learn
ed responses were given. One man,
we'll known among western plainsmen,
and one who was not suspected of be-
ing great student of the Bible, sur
prised his companions by saying:
Boys, there are just two things in
that old Book that I never get tired
hearing of. One is the story of that
little fellow Samuel; and shall never
forget the picture in my good old
mothers Bible showing Samuel sit
ting IN his little bed and, in response
to Gods call, saying Speak, Lord,
Thy servant heareth. )"
But" continued the plainsman,
''the prettiest pen picture ever drawn
is to be found in the tenth chapter of
Mark"
His companions thought to test him,
and one of them asked: GLOW do you
know it is the tenth chapter of Mark?"
"I'll show you," said the plains
man; and going to the check room he
delved into a capaciOus gripsack and
drew forth a well-fngered Bible.
Standing in the center of that group
of men the plainsman read;
"And they brought young children to
Him that He should touch them; and
His disciples rebuked those that
brought them.
"But when Jesus saw it He was much
displeased, and said upon them:
Suffer the little children to come I'M
to Me, and forbid them not, for of
such is the kingdom of God. Verify 1
say unto you: Whoever shall not re-
ceive the kingdom of God as a little
child he shall not enter therein.
"And He took them up in His arms,
put His hands upon them and blessed
them"
Impressed with the plainsman's I'M
suspected familiarity with the scrip
lures his companions agreed that,
after all, their unlettered friend was
not far from right when he SAID that
the Sweetest Singer of all the ages
gave to them the sweetest song of all
the years when "He took them up in
His arms, put His hands upon them
and blessed them, saying: Suffer the
little children to come unto Me, and
forbid them not, for of such is the
kingdom of God"
They are IDOLS of hearts and OF households;
They are angels Lf God IN disguise;
His sunlight still sleeps in their tresses,
His glory still CLEANS in their eyes;
These truants from home and from heaven
They have made me more manly and mild;
And know now how Jesus could liken
The Kingdom of God TO child