LITTLE children early develop a fearless trust in their parents and a willing obedience to a just and right discipline. With perfect confidence that their father and mother will supply their needs, they sing, play, and sleep in blissful contentment; to-morrow has for them no dread—it is rather a glad unfoldment of joyous existence; yesterday is remembered no more in the glad appreciation of to-day. Rippling laughter follows a stray tear, and joy comes again, having no sense of resentment or even the memory of a shadow.
After the child has lisped its evening prayer, its eyes close in peaceful slumber because thought is at peace. It lives to love, and it loves to live. It never doubts but that its every need will be adequately met. It never worries. It radiates harmony in glad activity and happy smiles. It soon understands that disobedience brings distress, learns the better way, and harmony is restored. Men are just children grown tall. God is our Father and Mother, to whom we owe perfect obedience; and giving it gladly, we find a sweet and lasting peace.
Jesus, sitting with his disciples, took a little child in his arms; then with divine wisdom he taught the need of trust in God that would equal the childlike confidence. He inferred that, trusting God implicitly, men may realize the pure consciousness that knows no evil and is at rest. Then, like the child, they will let no yesterdays or to-morrows disturb the joy of the present. God spoke these comforting words to Isaiah: "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." And to Joshua he said: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
