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Original.
INFANTS TAUGHT TO PRAY.
Persons who have never investigated the subject cannot believe that
young children are capable of being taught to pray, intelligently. As
infants cannot be supposed to understand the essential nature and design
of prayer, we may profitably inquire, "Of what use can prayer be to a
young child?"
Miss H. More defines prayer to be "The application of want to Him who
alone can relieve it; the confession of sin to Him who alone can pardon
it; the urgency of poverty, the prostration of humility, the fervency of
penitence--the confidence of trust. It is the 'Lord save us, we perish,'
of drowning Peter--the cry of faith to the ear of mercy." Now, are not
children, for several of their first years, absolutely dependent upon
others for the supply of all their wants? And yet, though no beings are
so weak, so helpless, yet none are so eloquent in pleading or praying
for what they want as young children in distress, though they have not
yet acquired the language of speech, and simply because this language is
nature's voice.
How irresistible are the entreaties of an infant in sickness, pain, and
trouble. It will not be pacified or comforted by any one but its
mother--her bosom is its sanctuary--her voice its sweetest melody--her
arms its only refuge. What a preparation is this in the ordering of
Providence, and in direct reference to what is to succeed, evidently
with the design that when a child is of a suitable age, it may transfer
its highest love and confidence from its earthly parents to a heavenly
Father.
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