The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-09-08
zASATURDAY
4T$ NIGHT
\ SERMONS
BY
- ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THE NEST OF THE STORK.

Lord Fps. cNXvii, 3.
flock of sheep without lambs In
Il would soon die out IL one had
hundred sheep and lost first one and
then another and another and another
how soon the whole flock would be
gone! It's the divine plan 10 keep the
present world peopled and fill the
place of the millions who have gone
TO the real world beyond. A childless
world would be not only a dreary
world, but a dying one. The healthy
man and woman are under the divine
command to increase and multiply.
"He who hath children hath given
hostages to fortune" says the classic
writer, which Is another way OF say
ing children make better citizens OF
men and women. Poor indeed is that
family that is childless They may
have beautiful house, with lawn ana
drives and fountains without; music,
books, paintings and grandeur within.
The voices of men and women guests
in laughter and song may ring through
the halls, but it's sounding brass ana
tinkling cymbal where the prattle of
children ia not heard.
The Hand That Rocks tho Cradle.
Only when the child arrives does
the family really begin. What do we
mean by father, mother, homer Who
but child can use these thrice hal
lowed names? One day after weeks
of mystery dark cloud hovers over
4. H., oh I,Nf
with anxiety, but out from that cloud
of nativity comes n shining messenger
Of God, descended from the bosom OF
the Almighty, to incarnate an immor-
tai soul. Two little feet start on an
eternal journey. A Columbus, to dis.
cover continent2 A Shakespeare, to
write ever living lines? A Washing
ton, father of a country A Lincoln,
savior of a racer Who knows that the
humble river cradle or manager bed
may hod-a Moses or a Christi While
you are rocking that baby you may
be rocking the destiny Of nations or
the glores Of heaven. The child is
the seed which with proper soil and
care may yield n wondrous harvest
The child nesting on mothers breast
Is Gods answer to her prayer for
heaven. The boy walking by his IA
TIERS side is Gods guidebook for that
mans life. These are the greatest
days of your life my fond hearted
young parents Though your names
should ring through many nations and
yet neglect these little ones your years
would be a row of zeros. Let others
boast of their worlds goods, you are
rich beyond human computation. God
hath given you keys to your paradise.
Your kindergarten.
1 say your kindergarten. not the
babys, for while you are teaching the
baby you are going to school to it. 1t
educates you. You go to school every
day-a school Of sacrifice, a school of
self denial, school Of patience, in
which you grow wiser every day. Life
is more Of n mystery, more stupen-
dous thing, since you first heard it's
cry. That child is your anchor, little
mother. You won't swing far from
your moorings. You are living in the
present, yet you sail Off ever so far
through the years in the bark Of that
cradle. And you, Mr.. Man, have given
a bond for more responsible life.
Employers say that you are steadier
workman than the fellow without
baby. Bank officials say you've start
ed a savings account-the first In your
life probably. The steward of the
club says he never sees you any more.
You stay home O. nights. Christmas
FOL Won emilia
pityingly at the lecturer who disap-
proves telling children Of Santa Claus,
Actually you renew your youth watch
ing that boy getting outside piece Of
bread and butter and sugar. You
smack your lips hungrily. The heroic
is developing in you too. What would
you not do for that little curly head7
Storm and darkness, heat and cold,
are nothing to you If they stand be-
tween you and your child's welfare.
What stream will you not swim, what
battle will you not fight, what hunger
will you not endure, for your child?
What are weary limbs, aching head
and anxious soul to you II its interests
are advanced? We've heard about the
man behind the gun. What about the
babe behind the man?
The Empty Crib.
"How about that empty crib of ours,
preacher? The little one who'll never
again toddle our floor, never hear
sound of school bell, never bear our
name? The white crib was emptied to
f1ll white casket. How do you ac-
count for thatY" Well, don't you think
the crocus, the tulip, the hyacinth, the
lilac, Of the spring had mission as
well as the perennial rose? A treasure
was loaned to you. A tiny migratory
bird perched on your ships rail, chirp-
ed its greeting, then flew of toward
the sunny island for which your Prov
is set. Ever hear Of a shepherd gath
ering up a lamb in his arms to draw
the mother sheep toward home? Since
little Bobbie or Nellie died haven't you
thought more OF the other land?
where your treasure is there your
heart will be also" More than once
I've known Of big, strong man being
led heavenward because a dead babys
fingers were still twined through his