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said: "Hearest thou what these say?" he replied "Have ye never read, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

The other occasion was that on which our text was spoken, which with its connection is a very clear and beautiful statement of the truth that little children may be Christians. "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God." Whatever this may mean in regard to the salvation of infants too young to receive any instruction, or in regard to the covenant relation with believer's children, its most obvious meaning is that "little children" are old enough to be interested in Christ, and to have a Christian disposition. Jesus refers expressly to their way of receiving the kingdom of God, as a model for others. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." This can not mean that we should receive it as a depraved, corrupt, unconverted little child, but that we must come to Christ with the humble, trustful spirit with which a little child comes to him. We must reverse our lives; cast off the vile additions made to our character; return to the simplicity and humility of childhood, and thus receive Christ. How strongly does this present the truth that even very young children can be the sincere and hearty followers of Jesus. Why should we become like little children, if they have not a peculiar aptitude for piety?

The idea that our Saviour in these words has no reference to real piety in children, but merely refers to them, as he might to the lambs, for rhetorical illustration, hardly deserves a serious refutation. He could not have been very "much displeased" with the disciples, nor could their repentence have been very deep, if they had been guilty only of excluding from the Saviour's. presence a happy illustration.

V. It is a pleasing confirmation of our faith in very early piety, to observe the many instances, within our own knowledge and observation, of the conversion of young children, and of their teachable spirit with reference to religion. I do not suppose that every thing which passes for child-piety is genuine, but even those childish prayers which are quoted as mere matter for remark, are often little sprouts of piety which God means to have cultivated and trained; not clipped off and killed by neglect. If you are accustomed to read children's religious papers, you have found many illustrations of the piety of young children. It would be pleasant to quote examples, and very easy to fill a sermon with such, but I will not detain you with these, and partly because many regard them as mere curiosities-instances of religious precociousness. Such a view is, I believe, far from the truth, and springs from the same notion that the Apostles had, that religion

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be more to the purpose to ren.ind `. P. Hammond are eminently blessed aches them with the utmost faith in Christians, and many young hearts as the fruit of his faith end zeal. A

writes to him: "I love Jesus. I love

ve to go to meeting. I love Christians."

These four sentences above the capacity of read?

aps, will not need to go to books and papers,

n the most sacred recess of a parent's heart, es of little ones, now saints in heaven, that came cce ved the "kingdom of God as a little child." cect such examples is awakened in many minds by me who in very early life give evidence of faith, on .ppear to lose it entirely and require regeneration as yone. How shall we explain this? In the first place, emember that neither children nor adults always hold parent piety. We should not expect more in this respect young than the old. In the next place, children have aned self-inspection, and it requires skill to interpret their acters rightly. We should not condemn their piety because we blunder in examining it. But the chief explanation is to be und, I think, in this, that parents neglect to train the piety of her young children, because they have no faith in its existence. there is an interval between the early years when "Now I lay m down to sleep," is the carefully instilled prayer, and the age of twelve and fourteen, during which Christian parents cease to watch over the private devotions of their children, appearing to think that these helpless lambs must pass through a period when they are too old to be carried in the bosom, and too young to go alone. What wonder that piety so neglected fails to show itself? What wonder that, when in time of revival these children are reawakened, the unfaithful parent can not see evidence of a previous regeneration? Such cases should not destroy our confidence in children's piety, but in parental fidelity.

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I have, in so many ways, anticipated the practical application of this subject, that it would be unsuitable to dwell long upon it in closing.

You who are Sunday-school teachers may learn that your pupils, however young, are old enough to be true Christians.

You who are young, but older than "little children" may learn that you have already refrained too long from entering the kingdom of heaven.

But the main lesson is for parents. God has made you the almost exclusive guardians of their very early years. Before your offspring can understand the instruction that comes from this pul

pit, or even enter the youngest class in the Sunday-school, they may be brought by you to Jesus. Do not decline this peculiar responsibility. You need not delay until you perceive clearly the moral character of the child. Begin as soon as the new life is placed in your hands, for your first work is prayer. Do you believe in a prayer-hearing God? Do you believe in the Holy Ghost? Then pray that the Holy Ghost may take possession of that young heart. Give up your child to God. Bunish every sesh thought, and beseech God daily to take and bless and use yo child for his glory. Do not pray that this may be done at Some remote future time. Pray that the Spirit may guide the eliest unfoldings of intelligence and character.

Then add to prayer such effort as is adapted to impress and guide young souls. Teach your children to pray. Do not say that they are unable to pray aright, but implore the Spirit to make them feel what their young lips utter.

Do not be slow to believe that your prayers are answered and your efforts blessed. Accept thankfully evidence that God gives you of the beginnings of piety, and set yourselves to train that piety into every Christian excellence. Yet do not expect maturity of character. The conversion of children does not convert them into old people. Do not be discouraged if they do wrong. How is it with a lult Christians? Do they not do wrong? But they repent. Teach young children to repent. In reliance on the Spirit teach them every Christian duty. Above all, teach them by example. Let them hear you pray. Imitate Christ in this respect. Let them see your good works. Let your looks as well as words impress them. Warm their hearts with your fervent Christian love before they can even lisp the name of Jesus. Be induced to do all this by your love for their souls. Perhaps you feel sure of their salvation if they die young; but how if they live? Unless they are regenerated when "little children” do you see any security against a life of irreligion and an eternity of woe? Some of you have a covenant with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, respecting these children. Does that Covenant require you to wait for many years for its fulfillment on God's part? Make trial, by your faithfulness, and see.

I address some parents who do not profess to be Christions. Who shall lead your children to Christ if not you? If you are not pious let this be a motive for your becoming so. In order

to bless your children you must pray for them; and if you have never prayed before, now is the time to begin. You must also teach them the way of the Lord; and if you have not yet learned the lesson, now is the time to begin. You must set them a pions example, and by your love for them be persuaded to do so. you ask, how shall I begin? I point you to the family altar. Have you one? If not, till that is set up you can not hon

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Jesus. In view of its influence upon them What if, dear friends, in endeavoring to you should yourselves be saved? Go then, car ones to Jesus, and when you see them cir little hands to him, do you also "receive the so as a little child."

THE PRAYER-MEETING.

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alton-Street Prayer-Meeting.

Le is encouraging and gratifying every Christian heart, far and car, to learn that this Bethel of prayer continues well attendedevery day, every week, every month. Daily prayer ascends like a column of holy incense to heaven redolent of blessings. Here strangers meet from many parts of the land, and mingle their praises and prayers together in holy fellowship, and then go their way rejoicing. This prayer-meeting and the marked answers to prayer which are made known almost every day are a standing monument to the efficacy of prayer. Christians may well thank God and take courage when they read the history of this prayer-meeting in its weekly annals.

how it may be removed. They ask for prayers to this end.

What if impenitent persons in congregations in all parts of the land were to send to the minister in his pulpit or to the weekly prayer-meeting a written request for prayers for the conversion of his own soul. How stirring and quickening would be its influence on the hearts of Christians.

He

HOSPITAL PRAYER-MEETING.-In one of the daily prayer-meetings one of the speakers said he had visited a hospital for which we had often been asked to pray. wished all this meeting could have been there. It was an affecting sight to see these men come hobsticks in great numbers to attend bling down on their crutches and the place of prayer. A more solPERSONAL CONVERSION. The emn prayer-meeting is not often cases are numerous in which re- attended. Great numbers were quests come from those who ask deeply moved during the meeting, prayers for their own conversion. and many tears were seen falling. Often the writers say they have Then when tattoo beat, which was been seeking an interest in Christ a signal to close the service, you for a long time, and have not been ought to have seen how anxious able to obtain it. They can not the men were that it should be find their way to Christ. They extended. Some of the anxious fed that the burden of sin is heavy men. after the meeting was disupon them, but they know not missed, came round the minister

for religious instruction. One noble-looking Vermont soldier came up and confessed his anxiety to become a Christian, but he could not find his way to Jesus. It was all a mystery to his mind. The tears were coursing down his cheeks while he spoke of his perplexities.

The same speaker said he held a Testament in his hand. It was from the battle-field of Fredericksburgh. On one of the fly-leaves was this record: "Found on the battle-field of Fredericksburg, December 16th, at two A. M., while covering the evacuation of that place, by P. H. B. Taken from beside a dead body." There was evidence that this Testament had been read after the owner had been wounded. It was found ly ing open. On the fly-leaf in front is this inscription:

A Present to William Glover
From his Sister Maggy.

Read this often. It was a beautiful gilt-edged Testament having a clasp on the lids, bearing the imprint of the American Bible Society of the year 1860.

THE LATE DR. CUTLER.-This eminent minister of Christ was leading this prayer-meeting one day, and a young man was seen sitting immediately in front of him in great distress of mind; so great that concealment was impossible. When the prayer-meeting was over he approached Dr. Cutler and said: "I have been an infidel all my days. Now I am persuaded the Bible must be true. Can you point me to any part of the Bible that reveals a salvation possible for such a sinner as I am?" Dr. Cutler immediately turned to some passages in John and invited him to

read them. He read them aloud. "Is there any salvation there for such a sinner as you?" said the Doctor. "Oh! surely, surely, there is," said the young man ; "I did not know that any such passages were in the Bible." This young man then and there seemed to turn his believing regard to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. He proved afterward to have then laid hold on the hope set before him in this Gospel. He changed the whole turn of his life from that day. Before he had been a writer of some ability in favor of infidelity, and contributed largely to the infidel periodicals of the day. Now he devotes himself to the upholding of the faith he once labored to destroy.

ANSWERS TO PRAYER.-A lady wrote to the prayer-meeting saying that she wished to return grateful acknowledgments to God for answers to prayer. Some time ago she sent requests for prayer for the conversion of her three children and for the divine keeping of her husband, a professor of religion, who was away in California. Since that time two daughters have been converted. And now she begs prayer to be continued for the conversion of her son.

Three several letters were read on the saine day, giving intelligence of answers to prayer.

A young man said: "I think I ought to come with my thankoffering before God for his mercy in answer to prayer." He joined the Church when very young, as he now supposes, without any experimental knowledge of religion. When in college he became a co mplete apostate. His conversion he attributes to God in answer to the

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