Character and Conduct – 16 May – Character: Child=like=ness

JESUS afterwards focussed the new type of character in a lovely illustration which is not always appreciated at its full value, because we deny it perspective.   Every reader of the Gospels has marked the sympathy of Jesus with children.   How He watched their games!  How angry He was with His disciples for belittling them!  How He used to warn men, whatever they did, never to hurt a little child!   How grateful were children’s praises when all others had turned against Him!   One is apt to admire the beautiful sentiment, and to forget that children were more to Jesus than helpless gentle creatures to be loved and protected.   They were His chief parable of the Kingdom of Heaven.   As a type of character the Kingdom was like unto a little child, and the greatest in the Kingdom would be the most child-like.   According to Jesus, a well-conditioned child illustrates better than anything else on earth the distinctive features of Christian character.   Because he does not assert nor aggrandise himself.   Because he has no memory for injuries, and no room in his heart for a grudge.   Because he has no previous opinions, and is not ashamed to confess his ignorance.   Because he can imagine, and has the key of another world, entering in through the ivory gate and living amid the things unseen and eternal.   The new society of Jesus was a magnificent imagination, and he who entered it must lay aside the world standards and ideals of character, and become as a little child.

The Mind of the Master, Dr. JOHN WATSON

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These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing the her readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.