“FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 482, 21 June 1890, Page 6

“FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”

They were only wee babes that the Teacher Had seen and had lov’dand He prest The wee gentle babes to His bosom— The helpless wee babes to His breast. Forbid them who will —he shall tremble; Or chide them who dare, shall be riven! For the Teacher bath said of the children—- “ For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. O, beautiful words, that were spoken By lips that were loving and true; O words, that are burnished and golden, As stars in God’s temple of blue ; For only as babes can we enter The realms of the living “ Amen.” Ah! not as the “ good ”or the “ righteous, The great, or the mighty of men!

But only as babes—ever clinging For guidance, for help, and for rest; Ah ! grasping the hand of the Father, And. trusting “ that He knoweth best;’ Just laying aside all our splendour. And casting our “ fears at His feet; Hand in hand with the loving and tender, We shall roam through the bcautitul streGt. Ah ! only as babes should wc whisper Of sorrows, and heart-throbs and fears; Ah ! only as babes should we praise Him, The Father, who drieth our tears. Not a word will He speak of our failings If we go to Him humble and meek ; But with love and with tender compassion The Father will pity the weak.

Then why do we cavil with doctrines, With creeds that are dismal and dark ? Why listen to guides who mislead us Till we wander away from the ark? There is only one way to the Father, That “ Way” the great Teacher hath given “ Be as babes” (ever truthful and humble). “For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” W. R. Wills.