August 26

13 ¶ And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

17 ¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest

thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Jesus and Children—is there a more beautiful scene in all the Bible?

"Jesus is attractive to children. There are some men and women for whom they do not care. Jesus is not like these. There are others for whom children are never shy, or afraid. Jesus is like these."—A. McAusland, D. D.

Jesus is still calling little children to Him. His arms are ever open to receive them, and His lips parted to bless them. Let us beware of throwing any impediment between them and their Saviour. We cannot too fully appreciate the importance of early conversion. Conversions after forty years

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are very rare: like the scattered grapes on the remotest branches after the vintage is over, there is only one here and there.

In the case of the young rule, the lesson taught is this: Heaven won by being, not doing. His trouble was self-satisfaction. "This young man thought himself somewhat beforehand, and that God, perchance, was in his debt. Truly, many nowadays grow crooked and aged with over good opinions of themselves, and can hardly ever be set right again."—John Trapp.

Possessions that possess. "Every man hath some such possessions as possess him, some such affections as weigh down Christ Jesus, and separate him from Him, rather than from those affections, those possessions."—Dr. Donne.

The Christian's possession. "He who has left all things begins to possess God; and he who has God for his portion is the possessor of all nature. Instead of lands, he is sufficient to himself, having good fruit which cannot perish. Instead of houses, it is enough for him that there is the habitation of God, and the temple of God, than which nothing can be more precious. For what is more precious than God? That is the portion which no earthly inheritance can equal."—Ambrose.

Closet Promise.—Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear.—Psalm x. 17.

"Learn to entwine with prayers the small cares, the trifling sorrows, the little wants of daily life. Whatever affects you—be it a changed look, an altered tone, an unkind word, a wrong, a wound, a demand you cannot meet, a sorrow you cannot disclose—turn it into prayer, and send it up to God. Disclosures you may not make to man you can make to the Lord. Men may be too little for your great matter; God is not too great for your small ones. Only give yourself to prayer, whatever be the occasion that calls for it."