“Feed My Lambs”
The charge given to Peter by Christ just before His ascension was,
“Feed My lambs;” [
John 21:15
.] and this charge is given to every
minister. When Christ said to His disciples, “Suffer the little children
to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God,” [
Mark 10:14
.] He was speaking to His disciples in all ages.
Very much has been lost to the cause of truth by a lack of attention
to the spiritual needs of the young. Ministers of the gospel should form
a happy acquaintance with the youth of their congregations. Many are
reluctant to do this, but their neglect is a sin in the sight of Heaven.
There are among us many young men and women who are not ignorant
of our faith, yet whose hearts have never been touched by the power
of divine grace. How can we who claim to be the servants of God pass
on day after day, week after week, indifferent to their condition? If
they should die in their sins, unwarned, their blood would be required
at the hands of the watchman who failed to give them warning.
Why should not labor for the youth in our borders be regarded as
missionary work of the highest kind? It requires the most delicate tact,
the most watchful consideration, the most earnest prayer for heavenly
wisdom. The youth are the objects of Satan’s special attacks; but
kindness, courtesy, and the sympathy which flows from a heart filled
with love to Jesus, will gain their confidence, and save them from
many a snare of the enemy.
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The youth need more than a casual notice, more than an occasional
word of encouragement. They need painstaking, prayerful, careful
labor. He only whose heart is filled with love and sympathy will be
able to reach those youth who are apparently careless and indifferent.
Not all can be helped in the same way. God deals with each according
to his temperament and character, and we must co-operate with Him.
Often those whom we pass by with indifference, because we judge
them from outward appearance, have in them the best material for
workers, and will repay all the efforts bestowed on them. There must
be more study given to the problem of how to deal with the youth,
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