And happy child! to be led by such a mother. Ye are
now together in that temple "not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,"
and with united voice swelling those anthems of glory which are poured
from angelic lips and harps to Him who sitteth upon the throne.
What an example is this for the Christian parent! God is the Father of
every home. From Him cometh down every good and perfect gift; and hence to
Him should all the interests and the loved ones of the household, be
dedicated. This is essential to the very conception of a Christian home.
But especially should the children be dedicated to the Lord. That infant
over which the mother bends and watches with such passionate fondness, is
"an heritage of the Lord," given to her only in trust, and will again be
required from her. As soon as children are given they should be devoted to
Him; for "the flower, when offered in the bud, is no mean sacrifice." Then
and then only will parents properly respect and value their offspring, and
deal with them as becometh the property of God. By withholding them, the
parents become guilty of the deed of Ananias and Sapphira. Like the Hebrew
mother, every Christian parent will gratefully devote them to Him, and
rejoice that they have such a pure oblation to "bring before their God."
"My child, my treasure, I have given thee up
To Him who gave thee me! Ere yet thine eye
Rested with conscious love upon thy mother,
Long ere thy lips could gently sound her name,
She gave thee up to God; she sought for thee
One boon alone, that thou mightest he His child;
His child sojourning on this distant land,
His child above the blue and radiant sky,
'Tis all I ask of thee, beloved one, still!"
Here is a dedication worthy of a Christian mother.
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