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earts as they recognized their unbelief！
As priests and rulers combined against them； and they were brought before councils and thrust into prison； the followers of Christ rejoiced 〃that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name。〃 Acts 5：41。 They rejoiced to prove； before men and angels； that they recognized the glory of Christ； and chose to follow Him at the loss of all things。
It is as true now as in apostolic days； that without the illumination of the divine Spirit； humanity cannot discern the glory of Christ。 The truth and the work of God are unappreciated by a world…loving and compromising Christianity。 Not in the ways of ease； of earthly honor or worldly conformity； are the followers of the Master found。 They are far in advance； in the paths of toil； and humiliation； and reproach； in the front of the battle 〃against the principalities； against the powers； against the world rulers of this darkness； against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places。〃 Eph。 6：12； R。 V。 And now； as in
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Christ's day； they are misunderstood and reproached and oppressed by the priests and Pharisees of their time。
The kingdom of God comes not with outward show。 The gospel of the grace of God； with its spirit of self…abnegation； can never be in harmony with the spirit of the world。 The two principles are antagonistic。 〃The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God： for they are foolishness unto him： neither can he know them； because they are spiritually discerned。〃 1 Cor。 2：14。
But today in the religious world there are multitudes who； as they believe； are working for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ as an earthly and temporal dominion。 They desire to make our Lord the ruler of the kingdoms of this world； the ruler in its courts and camps； its legislative halls； its palaces and market places。 They expect Him to rule through legal enactments； enforced by human authority。 Since Christ is not now here in person； they themselves will undertake to act in His stead； to execute the laws of His kingdom。 The establishment of such a kingdom is what the Jews desired in the days of Christ。 They would have received Jesus； had He been willing to establish a temporal dominion； to enforce what they regarded as the laws of God； and to make them the expositors of His will and the agents of His authority。 But He said； 〃My kingdom is not of this world。〃 John 18：36。 He would not accept the earthly throne。
The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive； on every hand were crying abuses；extortion； intolerance； and grinding cruelty。 Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms。 He attacked no national abuses； nor condemned the national enemies。 He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power。 He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments。 Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men； but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures。 To be efficient； the cure must reach men individually； and must regenerate the heart。
Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies； not by the patronage of worldly great men； is the kingdom of Christ established； but by the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit。 〃As many as received Him； to them gave He power to become the sons of God； even to them that believe on His name： which were born； not of blood； nor of the will of the flesh； nor of the will of man； but of God。〃 John 1：12； 13。 Here is the only power that
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can work the uplifting of mankind。 And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God。
When the apostle Paul began his ministry in Corinth； that populous； wealthy； and wicked city； polluted by the nameless vices of heathenism； he said； 〃I determined not to know anything among you； save Jesus Christ； and Him crucified。〃 1 Cor。 2：2。 Writing afterward to some of those who had been corrupted by the foulest sins； he could say； 〃But ye are washed； but ye are sanctified； but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus； and by the Spirit of our God。〃 〃I thank my God always on your behalf； for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ。〃 1 Cor。 6：11； 1：4。
Now； as in Christ's day； the work of God's kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws； but with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience of Paul： 〃I am crucified with Christ： nevertheless I live； yet not I； but Christ liveth in me。〃 Gal。 2：20。 Then they will labor as did Paul for the benefit of men。 He said； 〃Now then we are ambassadors for Christ； as though God did beseech you by us： we pray you in Christ's stead； be ye reconciled to God。〃 2 Cor。 5：20。
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Chapter 56
Blessing the Children
Jesus was ever a lover of children。 He accepted their childish sympathy and their open； unaffected love。 The grateful praise from their pure lips was music in His ears； and refreshed His spirit when oppressed by contact with crafty and hypocritical men。 Wherever the Saviour went； the benignity of His countenance； and His gentle； kindly manner won the love and confidence of children。
Among the Jews it was customary for children to be brought to some rabbi； that he might lay his hands upon them in blessing； but the Saviour's disciples thought His work too important to be interrupted in this way。 When the mothers came to Him with their little ones； the disciples looked on them with disfavor。 They thought these children too young to be benefited by a visit to Jesus； and concluded that He would be displeased at their presence。 But it was the disciples with whom He was displeased。 The Saviour understood the care and burden of the mothers who were seeking to train their children according to the word of God。 He had heard their prayers。 He Himself had drawn them into His presence。
One mother with her child had left her home to find Jesus。 On the way she told a neighbor her errand； and the neighbor wanted to have Jesus bless her children。 Thus several mothers came together； with their little ones。 Some of the children had passed beyond the years of
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infancy to childhood and youth。 When the mothers made known their desire； Jesus heard with sympathy the timid； tearful request。 But He waited to see how the disciples would treat them。 When He saw them send the mothers away； thinking to do Him a favor； He showed them their error； saying； 〃Suffer the little children to come unto Me； and forbid them not： for of such is the kingdom of God。〃 He took the children in His arms； He laid His hands upon them； and gave them the blessing for which they came。
The mothers were comforted。 They returned to their homes strengthened and blessed by the words of Christ。 They were encouraged to take up their burden with new cheerfulness； and to work hopefully f