To most of us at some time has come the joy of the love of a little child with its purity and unselfishness. Perhaps we have also experienced the anguish which results from concern over these little ones. Living with children can bring us to the heights of human hope and to the depths of human despair. Therefore students of Christian Science glimpse the importance of acquiring a spiritual sense of their relationship with children. This is equally true of children in their immediate family and of children belonging to others.
We find a helpful key to this relationship in the life of Christ Jesus. There are many instances in the New Testament which illustrate his great love for children. He spoke of their purity, humility, and teachableness. The Master loved all children, and he healed the daughter of a so-called unbeliever as readily as the children of his countrymen. An instance recorded in the Gospel of Mark would indicate that the disciples did not appreciate his love for these little ones, for the Bible records that they rebuked the parents for bringing the children to Jesus. His response is most illuminating. The Bible states (Mark 10:14), "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
It would be well for every Christian Scientist to follow the instruction of the Master and "suffer the little children to come" to the Christ, Truth, that is, to allow them to experience the healing, uplifting power of God without restriction from a human, mortal sense of love and false responsibility.
