etc. ( I ) Not what constitutes greatness m the kingdom, but who gets the hon- ors? Character, has little to do with place in this country, but, everything to do with it in the Better Country.' (2) See how soon they had forgotten Jesus' cross, and how their minds were set on their own crown. Christ to many is not so much the bearer of the cross for them, as the Giver of a crown to them. Some are serving for the fear of hell and others for the sake of heaven; few for the sake of Christ and Righteousness. II. THE LESSON OBJECT. 1. "A little child—in thè midst of them." Jesus was a wise and skillful teacher. He taught tnrough "Eye Gate" as well as "Ear Gate." Sometimes He pointed to "the lilies of the field," some- times to "the sparrows," and again "He called a little child and set him in the midst." Therefore the apostles never forgot the lesson (see Eph. 5:1, 6- I Pt 1:14; I Co. 14:20; I Jn. 2:13, and'many times). III. THE OBJECT LESSON. Si The Lesson. (1) "Except ye turn," (R. V.), for they now had'a dis- position quite contrary to that required. There must be a change in him who would be a candidate for a celestial of- fice, he must be "born again" (Jn. 3:3). (2) "Become as little children." Not as many of our American children who, lit- tle though they are, are too soon like their elders in another Sort of littleness; vain, mean, selfish; but like real, natur- al children, without self consciousness, rivalry, self assertion, pride, and caste; guileless, simple, trustful, democratic, teachable, pleased to lend a hand in what they can do; not assuming egotis- tically to do and be what they are not fit- ted for. ( 3 ) "Ye shall not enter the king- dom of heaven." Not only not rule in it, but be ruled out of it; not only not enter it, but not catch a glimpse of it (Jn. 3:3 ; Net. 5:8). The child only is little enough ' to pass the gates; the child's eye only is telescopic enough to catch its vision; or "even to catch the drift of this the Mas- ter's lesson. a. Who is greatest. (1) "Whoso- ever therefore shall humble himself as," etc. God's "Holy child Jesus" (Ac. 4: 27; Phil. 2:6-8) did it, and can there- fore demand it. A little prince will, un- less spoiled, play with a little peasant. A peasant's tiny daughter won the heart of a queen by her sweet simplicity. Her Majesty had her to dine with her fine ladies, to see what she would do in the grand company. When at the table she saw all their finery and beauty she ob-
served them a moment and then began to sing: "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness Is all my ornament,and dress; Fearless with these fair garments on Joyful I'll stand before Thy throne." That is as true a spirit as it, is also a true story. (2) "The same i s greatest," etc. It must be so, for such a spirit is essential heaven, in heaven above or in the earth beneath. "For of such is the kingdom of heaven." There will be no rivalry in heaven, for since all who enter have that child-spirit all will be great- est. Yes, each will esteem his office, whatever it may be, to be the best, most honorable, most important, and most useful. 3. Jesus; identification with the hum- ble. (1) Every such child being His prime minister the King will count his injuries, or his honors, His own. Whoso receives the humble, for Jesus sake, is humble, and Jesus' child himself. What is your attitude to the humble, the low- ly, the despised of the world? What it is tells most wl;at you are. (2) "But whoso shall offend (cause to stumble, or to be entrapped) one of these little ones that believe in Me," etc. So the Lord throws the ensign of glory round the humblest citizen of the kingdom of heaven, and in the name of the Eternal dares the powers of hell to harm him. (3) Think of this, parents who tarnish the pure minds of your children by your example and conversation, who trip them over the vanities and follies of the world, its aims social, financial, commer- cial, which you lay before them, with the infidelity, theoretical, or practical, that you express before them; and you, teachers, who suggest your doubts, and inculcate your scepticism, to and 1 upon them; and you caterers to their lusts and appetities who lure them from sobriety and virtue that you may fill your purses. If a mill stone tied about the neck, and the depths of the sea were your reward the quarries of earth would be exhausted and the sea again overflow the world— but Jesus names a different penalty, and worse. What a propaganda, then, should be made against the stumbling blocks, of home, of school, of church, of society, and civil life, if we are to escape the threatened woes! What a propaganda of the pure Gospel, in precept and prac- tice, should be inaugurated universally! Teacher in the Sunday school, make good use of this lesson in your class today! IV. SPIRITUAL SURGERY. 1. Using the knife and the gouge. Ponder vv. 8, 9. Some chopped off a man's arm to release him from a burn-
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