" I do not see that I can do anything for the Lord. What with seeing to the children and the house, my time is fully occupied." Perhaps such is the thought of some busy mother as she snatches a moment's rest from her work to look at this little book. It is true that many of us have little time to spare from our daily tasks but it is helpful to remember the word," Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord," and " Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." We may all do this, may we not?
My thought is especially for the mothers who have their work at home among their little ones. What a special responsibility and privilege is theirs to lead those little feet early in the paths of peace, and to teach those affectionate little hearts to confide in a Savior's love.
We all know how trustful children are, and how they receive undoubtingly everything that Mother tells them. Here is the opportunity for every Christian mother, and also for the infant teachers in our Sunday Schools. From earliest childhood she can tell the little ones of Jesus. She can teach them out of God's own Word those stories which children love to hear, and even baby lips can learn from her to repeat simple texts and verses. She can show too in her own life and ways, what it is to belong to Jesus. Above all, she can pray! Oh, how earnestly will she pray for her children, that God will give them living faith in the Lord Jesus by His Spirit!
Oh, dear mothers, and you who work among the little ones, do you find it hard work? Perhaps the children grow up careless and seem to forget what you taught them. Pray on! You have sown the good seed of the Word and it will bear fruit in the Lord's time.
I heard a little illustration the other day which I will pass on to you.
When you lay the fire, you put in first the paper, and sticks on top and then gently lay on the coals. Now it is ready for the light. You do not have a fire till the match is applied, but everything is ready so that when the light comes, lo! the fire is lit.
Well now, when we teach the children the Word of God it is like putting in the paper and sticks. We seek to do it well, to bring before them what they can grasp" here a little, there a little," " line upon line, precept upon precept." But there is still no life there till the Holy Spirit works in them. We can teach them but we cannot convert them. But we can pray. We teach the children the Word of God and ask the Lord to bless it to them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. He gives faith to receive the Gospel. What encouragement this is to us to pray earnestly and unceasingly for our little ones, and what an incentive to teach them continually the Holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. May we each-parents and teachers—take courage and go on.