Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-08

ones''-it matters not if they be little in
stature and years or only little in mind, in
| faith. in position or wealth-how many of
our Fathers little ones you have caused
| to stumble Your faults they will copy just
| as well as your virtues. Think of that the
next time you are tempted to do something
| Just for once which you have made your
| self believe is mot much harm" You for
! got that it will be repeated by the little
ones whose judgment is not yet formed,
and who may take your chance 'just for
this once and make it a lifetime habit.
l know the argument is that you should
have your own pleasures with your own
certain extent is right and good. but this
must not be at the expense of your in
fiuence upon the younger ones. suppose
instead of keeping away from the company
of your younger sister. or your neighbor
next door. who is three or four years your
junior you occasionally planned to make
them have a nice time, would your IN
fluence not he twice as strong over them
as now? When you saw them in some
danger and wished to warn them. and per-
haps persuade them to keep away from the
possibility of harm. would you not have
more chance of winning them? Oh, the
good the big brothers can do for the ones a
tri1e younger-and the big boys and young
mon for those who are just coming into
manhood-if they only will! Take heed!
that we despise them not. You are utterly
Indifferent to them usually, unless they
bother you, but that is not what you were
meant to be. Your advantage of years
makes you the more responsible and no
man. woman or child has right to live
to himself on this earth. Self has got in
between US and great many things that
Jesus would like to have US do, and we
need to get self out of the way
1.-The reference here is not exclusively to
children in years, but quite as much to
children in spiritual stature, or in position
and influence in the church. The little
ones are those who are small in the sense
corresponding to that of the word great
in the disciples question. They are those
%1Dy o,,1 oy,6
it is sometimes expressed. of no account
in the church. whether this be due to ten
der years or to slender abilities or to scanty
means to little faith.
what our Lord says this subject
comes evidently from the very depths of
His heart. He is not content with making
sure that the little ones shall receive as
good a welcome as the greatest they must
have a special welcome, just because they
are small. He Identifies Himself with them
with each separate little one: Whose
name receiveth Me-. What grand Sc
curity for the rights and privileges of the
small! What word for parents and
teachers, For men of influence and wealth
in the church in their relations to the weak
and poor!
Then follow two solemn warnings.
wrought out with fullness and energy. Inc
first is against putting a stumbling block
in the way of even one of these little ones
an offense which may be committed with
out any thought of the consequences. Per-
ter feels it necessary to use language so
terribly strong, that He may, if possible,
arouse His disciples to some sense of their
responsibility: Whose shall offend one Of
these little ones which believe in Me, it
We're better for him that milestone were
hanged about his neck and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea- How
jealousy he guards the little ones! Verify
he that toucheth them 'toucheth the apple
of His eye j. Munro Gibson, DID.
Applied Truth.
A dying man once exclaimed: 20 that
my influence could be gathered up and bur-
led with mel"
Among the high Alps at certain seasons
of the year the travellers warned to go
very quietly, because upon the steep slopes
the snow is balanced so evenly that the
sound Of a voice or the report of gun may
start fearful avalanche which will over
whelm all below it. So we should walk
carefully through this world, for wrong
word or action may set in motion forces
which shall bring down an avalanche and
overwhelm some other soul.
Moody used to tell a story of a man who
said he would not talk to his son about re-
ligion; that the boy should make his own
choice when he grew up, unprecedented by
him. But one day the boy broke his arm,
and while the doctor was setting j. he
broke out into the most awful swearing, I'M
til his father shocked and grieved.
All" said the doctor you We're afraid to
prejudice the boy in the right way, but the
devil had no such prejudice. He has led
your son the other way"
A sculptor once showed visitor a curious
statue. Its face was covered with hair and
its feet had wings upon them. What Is
his name?' asked the visitor. "Oppor-
tunty." "Why is his face hidden?' BE
cause men seldom know him when he comes
to them" 'Why has he wings on his feet %
because he is soon gone, and once gone,
can never be overtaken." The opportunities
God is giving you now over your young
brothers and sisters and friends will soon
be gone and you will never have as good a
chance again to lead them to the best
things.
"Dare let children grow up with no
vital contact with the Savior, never inten-
tionally and consciously put into His arms?
Not to bring them to Him. not to teach
them to walk toward Him, soon us they
can walk toward any one, is wronging a
child beyond words The terrible ndict-
ment by the Lord, Them that were enter
ing in we hindered and the milestone warm
ing for offending little ones close akin
to the deserts of those who ruin a mans
whole day by wronging his morning hours.
Not to help child to know the Gaving
power of Christ is to hold back a man from
salvation. ''-Maltbie d. Babcock.
DR.. Louis Albert Banks tells the following
story: ---e other day. in one of our cities,
two small boys signaled a street car. When
the car stopped It was noticed that one
other boy helped him aboard, and after
telling the conductor to go ahead, returned
to the sidewalk The lame boy braced him
self up in his seat that he could look
out of the window, and the other pas
sengers observed that at intervals the lit
tie fellow would wave his hand and smile
Following the direction of his glances the
passengers the other boy running along
the sidewalk, straining every muscle to
keep up with the car They watc..~>. his
pantomime for a few blocks, and then a
gentleman asked the lame boy who the
other boy was. My brother was the
prompt reply. Why does he not ride with
you in the car? the next question.
Because he hasn't any money answered
the lame boy sorrowfuHy But the runner
running that his crippled brother might
ride-had a face in which sorrow had no
part, only the gladness of self-denying
soul. o, my brother you who long to do
great service for the King and reach life's
noblest triumph. here is your picture-will-
ing to run that the crippled lives may ride
willing to bear one another's burdens and
so fulfill the law of Chrst-that is the
spirit of the Kings country"
How to Help the Leader.
If some older young friend or relative
helped you, tell how it was DONE and in
what way he she won influence over
you. Also speak of both evil and good in