The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-06
BY WILLIAM n. ELLIS.

WAY. to jerusalem" Matt. 1891, 2.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
lTT=IIIGHLAND minister's and ell
ders used to examine church
m members for marks" TO
test their worthiness: the
present weeks study for the
Sunday schools is a passage
wherein Jesus examines for two
''marks''-the childlike heart, and
spirit of sacrifice. In connection with
the first incident he uttered the famil-
lar and beautiful words, "Suffer the
little children to come unto me- and
the second incident is known to
scholars as 1.-THE Great RefusaP'-the
case of the young man who refused
to surrender his wealth to the poor at
the behest of Jesus. The two stories
constitute contrast in riches: the
way the world looks at life and the
way Christ looks at 1t.
The experiences of Jesus at the
moment illustrated his teaching.
His, life spoke before his lips He
was en- route from Galilee to Jerusa-
lem; and he might have claimed
what travellers seem to regard as their
right--the privilege of being self
engrossed. What shocking stories
Of selfishness are told by. those who
have had opportunity to observe
travellers! Rightly or wrongly, the
impression is abroad in Europe that
Americans are the most assertive
8elL-Se6klQG
tourists. Note well the Jesus way:
he travelled to give, and not to get;
TO serve, and not to be served. so we
read that on his journey he 1avished
his life upon all who had need, meet
ing the multitude in patient sincerity
and healing the suffering that were
brought to him. Childlike in his
ingenious giving forth of himself,
Jesus the best Of all rebukes to our
calculating capitalization.
The TVaaf NJ the children
'HThat judgment which children have
OF you" once said Rev. DR.. James A.
Worden, you may take as a slice of the
great Judgment day." 1t is proverbial
that dogs and children make few mis-
takes in their estimate of character.
The condolences of childhood are more
TO be coveted than the congratulations
of the great. Posterity has preferred
TO take Jesus at the estimate OF the
children rather than at that of the
wise and eminent of his time. Man
kind would not willingly lose the pic
fure Of gentle Nazarene surrounded by
olive skinned, dark eyed boys and
girls.
There is profound meaning in the
familiar fact that Jesus was the
friend OF children. They drew near
that deep characteristic of the truly
great, the child-like heart. And he
imparts the same characteristic. His
friends all show a like token. Who
a child in this respect. Men value the
arts and ways of worldly wisdom. In
tense sophistication Is a prominent
trait of modern society but Jesus puts
his approval upon simple sincerity. 1t
is hard even for a world which has sat
for nineteen centuries at the feet OF
Jesus to realize this. even as it was for
his disciples who rebuked those bring
ing children to him. "Yet of such is
the kingdom" ..
The Stream and Its Source.
Yonder flows the river Forth, in
Scotland. It is a stream to be ford
ed or damned or diverted; anybody
may seriously affect it at this point
to the mighty Forth Bridge. where
the stream flows more than a mile
wide. Who now can dam it or turn
1t or purify it? No truth can be more
commonplace than the one which this
illustrates. If we mean to do aught
with the streams of human life we
must begin near the source.
Rather strange, is It not, that the
tic is enlisted by the Young Mems
Christian Associations, the college
guild houses, the brotherhoods and
the other mems movements, while
the organized Sunday school work is
wonderously neglected by them?
Few comparatively of the strongest
men Of the Christian church are iden-
tined with the Sunday school All
unstinted1y of themselves in this ser
vice; and double honor to the legion
of everyday men and women who make
1p the rank and file of Sunday school
workers. But it is not an indictment
Of the sound Judgment and clear per-
ception of the religious leaders of the
day that so small number of them
really know or care anything about the
one Organization which holds more of
hope for the future than any other?
Social problems are perplexing the
church. Let us have common sense
enough to begin at the beginning
which is with the children-for their
polution. There are signs that at
length the Sunday school is coming
TO its own. Strong and valiant men,
like H. Clay Trumbull and B. F. ia
cobs, now gone to their reward, have
not fabored in vain. The child is I'M
derstood and appreciated and cult
waited as never before. 1t Is service to
the church. state. the world, when
worthy man or woman undertakes the
teaching and shepherding of Sunday
school class. We know. by irrefutable
become such in childhood. If We fix
the little ones in loyalty to the ideals
of Jesus, society is safe.
An aAnsel paused in his onward fight
with a seed of love and truth and
right,
And said, ION, Where can TINS SEED De
sown
Where Twill ylolo n1OSt AHuit WHEN
fully grown?
To whom can this precious seed be
given
That it will bear most fruit for earth
and heaven?"
The Savior heard and said, as he
.sPIace it at once in the heart of a
The angel whispered the blessed truth
To a weary teacher OF precious youth.
Her face grew bright with heavenly
AS she LED their thoughts in the way of
right.
ssVVhat Shall Do?"
II the rich young man had been