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Helpless Poor
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church provide homes for them. He who made us ordained that we
should be associated in families, and the child nature will develop
best in the loving atmosphere of a Christian home.
Many who have no children of their own could do a good work
in caring for the children of others. Instead of giving attention to
pets, lavishing affection upon dumb animals, let them give their
attention to little children, whose characters they may fashion after
the divine similitude. Place your love upon the homeless members
of the human family. See how many of these children you can bring
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up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Many would thus be
greatly benefited themselves.
The Aged
The aged also need the helpful influences of the family. In the
home of brethren and sisters in Christ can most nearly be made up
to them the loss of their own home. If encouraged to share in the
interests and occupations of the household, it will help them to feel
that their usefulness is not at an end. Make them feel that their help
is valued, that there is something yet for them to do in ministering to
others, and it will cheer their hearts and give interest to their lives.
So far as possible let those whose whitening heads and failing
steps show that they are drawing near to the grave remain among
friends and familiar associations. Let them worship among those
whom they have known and loved. Let them be cared for by loving
and tender hands.
Whenever they are able to do so, it should be the privilege of the
members of every family to minister to their own kindred. When this
cannot be, the work belongs to the church, and it should be accepted
both as a privilege and as a duty. All who possess Christ’s spirit will
have a tender regard for the feeble and the aged.
The presence in our homes of one of these helpless ones is a
precious opportunity to co-operate with Christ in His ministry of
mercy and to develop traits of character like His. There is a blessing
in the association of the old and the young. The young may bring
sunshine into the hearts and lives of the aged. Those whose hold on
life is weakening need the benefit of contact with the hopefulness and
buoyancy of youth. And the young may be helped by the wisdom