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Love for Christ’s Coming
207
his work as catechist, addressing the children and instructing them
in the Scriptures. From the professor’s chair, through the press,
and as a teacher of children, he for many years was instrumental in
calling the attention of many to the prophecies which showed that
the coming of the Lord was near.
Child-Preachers of Scandinavia
In Scandinavia also the advent message was proclaimed. Many
were roused to confess and forsake their sins and seek pardon in
the name of Christ. But the clergy of the state church opposed the
movement, and some who preached the message were thrown into
prison.
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In many places where the preachers of the Lord’s soon coming
were thus silenced, God was pleased to send the message through
little children. As they were under age, the state could not restrain
them, and they were permitted to speak unmolested.
In the humble dwellings of laborers the people assembled to hear
the warning. Some of the child preachers were not more than six
or eight years of age; and while their lives testified that they loved
the Saviour, they ordinarily manifested only the intelligence and
ability usually seen in children of that age. When standing before
the people, however, they were moved by an influence beyond their
natural gifts. Tone and manner changed, and with solemn power
they gave the warning of the judgment, “Fear God, and give glory to
him; for the hour of his judgment is come.”
The people heard with trembling. The Spirit of God spoke to
hearts. Many were led to search the Scriptures, the intemperate and
immoral were reformed, and a work was done so marked that even
ministers of the state church were forced to acknowledge that the
hand of God was in the movement.
It was God’s will that tidings of the Saviour’s coming should
be given in Scandinavia, and He put His Spirit upon the children
that the work might be accomplished. When Jesus drew near to
Jerusalem, the people, intimidated by the priests and rulers, ceased
their joyful proclamation as they entered the gates of Jerusalem.
But the children in the temple courts took up the refrain, and cried,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Matthew 21:8-16
. As God wrought