The Blessedness of Children's Piety

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Matthew 21:15-16

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying…

It is upon the child that this sarcastic question still falls. Some hardly think the children can be converted. The Saviour's answer is splendid when He said, "Have you never read?" Never caught the inner sense, never read so as to understand, etc.

I. Children ARE CAPABLE OF VERY DEEP PIETY,

1. They are capable of that early grace with which true religion usually begins — a deep repentance.

2. No one who has seen converted children will ever doubt their capacity for faith, in some respects greater than that of the adult. Their faith is more easy, vivid, effective.

3. When they come to love our Lord, they do love.

4. I have noticed in children other virtues — courage, patience, great understanding of the fear of God.

II. CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF RENDERING, IN THE HANDS OF GOD, GOOD SERVICE.

1. They convey healing messages to those about them. The little maid who waited upon Naaman's wife. Often guide blind souls to the light. Often guide strong men to some great action.

2. They serve the Lord wonderfully by their prayers.

III. THE CHILDREN'S PIETY AND THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE ARE PECULIARLY GLORIFYING TO GOD.

1. Nothing seems to me to glorify God so much as His condescension when He takes a little child and instructs it, and manifests Himself to the child. And what power is there in the conversion of a child. If you have any doubt try it yourself.

2. They glorify God because they do so rebuke His enemies. Who can see what some of us have seen in children, and not feel ashamed we have lived so long, and yet never yielded to the Redeemer's love?

3. They sometimes rebuke God's own people and so glorify Him. Those who have never made confession of faith, etc. Sunday-school teachers, you are engaged in a most blessed work — persevere.

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