All this will involve the necessity of a watchful study of child-nature, child-language, and child-character. Something must be prepared especially adapted to attract and interest the children with fresh illustrations, etc. The Rev. Dr. Newton's sermons are admirable models. "The Peep of Day," "Line upon Line," and "Precept upon Precept," are fine specimens of pure child-language. Bible truths and illustrations are unequalled to interest children if they are only clearly presented, in a life-like, earnest manner, and broken up into little pieces for their use. It should ever be remembered that good preaching to children never fails to be most interesting to the older people. Good preaching to children by the pastor every week will greatly elevate all our monthly concert, missionary, and anniversary addresses, which should often be far more scriptural; and methinks, if the pastor would but preach one good scriptural sermon to the youth every Sabbath, both himself and his people would find a rich blessing in it.
Address to Children—In Outline.
The Child Jesus.
Luke ii. 40. "And the Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him:" Grew an infant, then a boy, afterward a man. Labored, suffered and died for you, for me.
I. See The Child's Strength. Not like Samson or David. Strong to do God's will, to do right. Resolute purpose, will, determination, etc. Jesus was strong to learn, to teach, to submit, to reprove and suffer. Strong to resist the world, flesh, and the devil. Strong for self-control.
II. See The Child's Wealth. Not Gold, Diamonds, etc., but Wisdom. How he got it? He gathered it. Where? Bible, doctors in temple, from the Spirit, from the world, etc.
III. See The Child's Beauty. The grace of God. Not beauty of face. Perhaps he had lost his beauty, "his face was as marred." It was beauty within; meek and quiet spirit; beauty of holiness, of obedience, of humility, of love.
1. God thought him beautiful. "In his Father's likeness," "All of his glory," etc.
2. Angels thought him beautiful. "They wondered and adored:" "Angels desired to look." 3. Men thought him beautiful. "The Leper, the Demoniac, the Blind, the Palsied," etc.
Do you think him beautiful? or is there "no beauty in him that you should desire him?"
His strength he will give to you. "My strength is sufficient for thee."