The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-07-20

moved along right, straight line. He came
into the Kingdom of Heaven as plant moves
out into the air and sun. Gas long az he liveth
ne shall be lent unto the Lord" Such an
event needs to have room made for it in our
creeds and theological statements.
In this exposition there is no attempt to dis
count divine grace or dispense with its holy
offices and necessary. Only. the case of this
little Christian of Shiloh shows US that the
same grace which can recover person "from
the error of their ways" if applied early
enough and with proper constancy, can keep
that child from straying into ways of error.
The boy that has religious character enough to
admit of his being ungodly. has religious
character enough to admit of Gods grace
ep'ne MIN cody. If child is far enough
a's 70 go astray, he is far enough along TO
.."'e uoo grace keep him from going astray.
"A chilo that knows enough to swear knows
enough to pray. A little tottering child does
no' need to be lame before its mothers help
ins nand can work deliveringly for it; and the
grace OF God does not get its efficacy from the
disadvantage at which it works. We simply
must make room for Samuel in our theology,
ana room in actual faith to pray at his level
that he may be normal occurrence in these
times and homes.
suppose SamuePs early connection with
tne church and sanctuary had its strengthen
ing and educating effect. 1t was just in the
mlost OF the temple that the Lords presence
became manifest to him and the divine voice
sounded clearly to his ears. So there is great
est virtue in early and affectionate association
with the church and its organizations and
earnest participation in the church's work.
lhlngs become related to US only by our COM
ing into affectonate relation with them. II
Jesus taught, and we believe, that children are
the blrthright citizens of the Kingdom of
heaven and that all grown-up converted peo-
pie occupy no higher place in that kingdom.
then children have a rightful place at our Sac
raments and services alongside their elders.
There was room in the tabernacle at Shiloh for
young Samuel to live and serve and do some-
thing. He was not only planted in the house
of the Lord but early established also in the
practical service of the Lord. There is some
Samuel did not attempt to minister in the old
priests robes. He had ephod that was
made to fit him. He was priest, and yet he
was priest in a little way. Because he was
engaged in holy services he did not ape or
affect maturity in the doing of them
think it represents to US that we are not
to expect adult opinions, expressions, expert
l.
part of the perfection of unripe fruit that it is
not mellow. Christianity that is truly in the
child, and of it, will be exactly as fresh and
dewy as the child is fresh and dewy "First
the blade then the ear, then the full corn in
the ear If we ever have over-anxious con-
Germ about a child who is christian, to
their language, experiences or even acts, SIM
ply remember in our education of them that
Eli had his ephod and Samuel had his, and that
SamuePs was purposely made SO small that he
could put it on without difficulty and serve in
it without inconvenience or embarrassment.
But great as is the supplementary efforts of
the Sunday school and church for the child,
the home is at once the physical birthplace
and its proper spiritual birthplace. A Spanish
proverb says: can ounce of mother is
worth pound of clergy" The home is the
first church, the hearth-sto the first altar,
the father and mother the first priests The
more home there is in the home the more
readily and completely does it fulfill its offices
as child church This is the reason why no
prayers ever touch US so tendery or remain
with us so faithfully as the home-prayers.
And for the same reason the home is the child's
proper Sunday school. 1t is not yet quite
clear why parents can farm out their children
for practically all their spiritual nurture to
strangers. There are attainments in Bible
knowledge that can be best made very likely
by accomplished teachers in Bible or church
school, so that such school fills large and
important place and office; but the catechism
that does most to save the child is a certain
inimitable comingling of truth and mother.
He or she is an unhappy, an ill-omened child,
who does not have the helpful lessons of God
whispered into the tender heart of childhood
and youth from Sunday to Sunday at least, in
words that tender as they are wise.
The Jew and the Romanist have proven alert
and skilful in this respect and their religious
fealty is ample proof. When will our glorious
Professionalism arise to the claim and oppor-
tunity of childhood christianity, taught and
exemplifed by Jesus.
Maine Educators for Constitutional Prohi-
bition.
At the opening session, July 18th, of the State
Conference of the Maine School Superntend-
ents in Castine, the committee appointed the
previous daV rennrred the following rasnll1.