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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
rich cakes and pastry; for by so doing their blood becomes fevered, the
nervous system unduly excited, and the morals are in danger of being
affected. It is impossible for anyone to live intemperately in regard to
diet and yet retain a large degree of patience. Our heavenly Father sent
the light of health reform to guard against the evils resulting from a
debased appetite, that those who love purity and holiness may use with
discretion the good things He has provided for them, and by exercising
temperance in their daily lives, may be sanctified through the truth.
You are not uniform in your treatment of your children. At times
you indulge them to their injury, while at other times you refuse
them some innocent gratification that would make them very happy.
You turn from them with impatience and scorn their simple requests,
forgetting that they can enjoy pleasures that to you seem foolish and
childish. You do not stoop from the dignity of your age and station
to understand and minister to the wants of your children. In this you
fail to imitate Christ. He identified Himself with the lowly, the needy,
and the afflicted. He took little children in His arms, and descended
to the level of the young. His large heart of love could comprehend
their trials and necessities, and He enjoyed their happiness. His spirit,
wearied with the bustle and confusion of the crowded city, tired of
association with crafty and hypocritical men, found rest and peace in
the society of innocent children. His presence never repulsed them.
The Majesty of heaven condescended to answer their questions and
simplified His important lessons to meet their childish understanding.
He planted in their young, expanding minds the seeds of truth that
would spring up and produce a plentiful harvest in their riper years.
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In these children who were brought to Him that He might bless
them He saw the future men and women who should be heirs of
His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would
become martyrs for His name’s sake. Certain unsympathizing disciples
commanded that the children be taken away, lest they should trouble
the Master; but as they were turning away in sadness, Christ rebuked
His followers, saying: “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
He knew that these children would listen to His counsel and ac-
cept Him as their Redeemer, while those who were worldly-wise and
hardhearted would be less likely to follow Him and find a place in the
kingdom of God. These little ones, by coming to Christ and receiving