IT was, perhaps, to human sense, a very ordinary, everyday incident, —a mother approaching in the street with two sunny-haired boys, the younger little more than a baby, each holding one of her hands. There came to mind the thought expressed by that most loving and lovable of men, Christ Jesus, in the words, "Of such is the kingdom of God," and, "In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." I then saw the smaller child look up at me with a smile of such radiant friendliness that I knew I had indeed glimpsed an angel of God's love reflected in the little fellow's face; for seldom have I felt more cheered.
"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." So wrote the beloved disciple, John. It was because of his understanding of the true man's simple love of good that he was justified in addressing his readers as "little children," appealing in this way to their natural sinlessness in Christ. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 15): "The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love."
To those who are striving for "the simplicity that is in Christ," who in their love of God and man are sincerely endeavoring to fulfill the two great commandments, the significance of the above incident will be apparent. As children of God, they will be able to evoke and respond to the angel-smile of spiritual recognition in their contact with their fellowmen and so add to their experience yet another proof—and a very encouraging one, too—of the present actuality of the kingdom of God. Error may argue that the object of our consideration may be unworthy. Certainly material sense cannot reflect God; but, as Mrs. Eddy truly says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 300), "God is seen only in the spiritual universe and spiritual man, as the sun is seen in the ray of light which goes out from it." This verity understood eliminates the seeking of good in human personality.
