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Jesus’ Love for Children
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lead fathers and mothers to treat their children as they themselves
would like to be treated.
Parents, in training your children, study the lessons God has
given in nature. If you would train a rose or lily, how would you do
it? Ask the gardener how he makes every branch and leaf to develop
in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you: it was by no rude
touch, no violent effort; this would only break the delicate stems. It
was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil and
protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and scorching
sun, and God caused them to blossom into loveliness. By gentle
touches, seek to fashion the characters of your children after the
pattern of the character of Christ.
Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one
another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and
women in the world is that true affection has been discouraged and
repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in child-
hood; and unless divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness,
their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to
possess the tender spirit of Jesus, we must encourage the generous,
loving impulses of childhood.
Teach the children to see Christ in nature. Take them out into
the open air, under the noble trees, into the garden. In all the won-
derful works of creation teach them to see His love. He made the
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laws which govern all living things, and He has made laws for our
happiness and joy. Do not weary them with long prayers and te-
dious exhortations, but through nature’s object lessons teach them
obedience to the law of God.
As you try to make plain the truths of salvation, point the children
to Christ as a personal Saviour. Angels will be by your side. The
Lord will give to fathers and mothers grace to interest their little
ones in the precious story of the Babe in Bethlehem.
Do not keep the little ones away from Jesus by coldness and
harshness. Never give them cause to feel that heaven will not be a
pleasant place if you are there. Do not speak of religion as something
that children cannot understand. Do not give the false impression
that the religion of Christ is a religion of gloom and that in coming
to the Saviour they must give up all that makes life joyful.