o demand the
attention of Christ. At this present time there are many things which tend
to keep parents from bringing their children to the Master: custom and
carelessness and indifference and fear and diffidence; even friends seem
to play the part of those "disciples" and to conspire to prevent and
rebuke those who really long to see their children brought into a
sanctifying relationship to the Lord. No problem of to-day is more
important than the removal of such barriers and obstacles. The Christian
nurture of children is the supreme need of the times. "But Jesus called
them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not." This reply of the Master has cast an unfading halo about
the faces of all children. Their innocence and their need made a special
appeal to the Master. Should it not affect us in like manner, and should
we not feel that no work is more Christlike and none more blessed than the
care of these little ones whom our Lord so truly loves? We are the real
servants of our Master only as we feel the appeal of childhood and as we
seek to supply to children their physical and mental and spiritual needs.

"For to such belongeth the kingdom of God." It is theirs by right. It
belongs not only to those particular children whom Jesus was then
blessing, not only to all children in general, but to all of whatever age
who are childlike in their trust and dependence and purity. All those who
are intrusted to the care of the Master and who accept his saving grace
will find a place in his Kingdom.

As the crowds gazed in wonder and sympathy on this tender scene, our Lord
added this word of warning, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein."

6. The Rich Ruler. Ch. 18:18-30

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall
I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why
callest thou me good? none is good, save one, _even_ God. 20 Thou
knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do
not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.
21 And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up.
22 And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou
lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 But when he heard these things