Put heart in your work, whatever it is. If it be the lowliest, simplest little task, it will be ennobled by your doing it well and cheerfully, and taking real pleasure in it.
"THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS."
(Zechariah iv. 10.)
The second temple was much smaller than, and very inferior to, the first, and from it were wanting the ark, the Shechinah glory, the sacred fire, and the Urim and Thummim. Hence we read that, when it was erected and dedicated, the older men that had seen the former temple wept (Ezra iii. 12). Compared with that, the second temple saw but a "day of small things" (Hag. ii. 3).
And thus do we sometimes speak of the days of childhood and youth, and rightly so. Young people are small in stature and little in ability. Their minds are not much cultivated at present, their faculties undeveloped. Their views of things are narrow and circumscribed. They have seen and know but little of the world, or, indeed, of anything at all. But children are not to be despised on that account. We who are older must not think depreciatingly of them, nor should the young depreciate themselves—their abilities, their time, their opportunities. Do not waste your precious moments, for yours is a golden age, which will quickly pass away, and can never return.
Do not imagine that you are too young to exert any influence over others for good or harm. You may, and do, influence not only your companions, but many older people also. As children and youths are old enough to sin, they are old enough also to be impressed by the Spirit of God—yea, even savingly converted, if God so will it.
Not long ago, a very little boy, dying, was heard to say, "Oh, Lord Jesus, please make room for a little boy!" and I doubt not, his prayer was as real and as acceptable to God as was that of the dying malefactor, "Lord, remember me," &c. Another dear little fellow said, "If I ever get to heaven, I'll go straight up to Jesus, throw my arms around His neck, and say, 'I'm come! I'm come!'"