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ng the children； and He bids us； Suffer them to come； as if He would say； They will come if you do not hinder them。
Let not your un…Christlike character misrepresent Jesus。 Do not keep the little ones away from Him by your coldness and harshness。 Never give them cause to feel that heaven will not be a pleasant place to them if you are there。 Do not speak of religion as something that children cannot understand； or act as if they were not expected to accept Christ in their childhood。 Do not give them the false impression that the religion of Christ is a religion of gloom； and that in coming to the Saviour they must give up all that makes life joyful。
As the Holy Spirit moves upon the hearts of the children； co…operate with His work。 Teach them that the Saviour is calling them； that nothing can give Him greater joy than for them to give themselves to Him in the bloom and freshness of their years。
The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood。 They are the claim of His love。 He looks upon them with unutterable longing。 His heart is drawn out； not only to the best…behaved children； but to those who have by inheritance objectionable traits of character。 Many parents do not understand how much they are responsible for these traits in their children。 They have not the tenderness and wisdom to deal with the erring ones whom they have made what they are。 But Jesus looks upon these children with pity。 He traces from cause to effect。
The Christian worker may be Christ's agent in drawing these children to the Saviour。 By wisdom and tact he may bind them to his heart； he may give them courage and hope； and through the grace of Christ may see them transformed in character； so that of them it may be said； 〃Of such is the kingdom of God。〃
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Chapter 57
〃One Thing Thou Lackest〃
And when He was gone forth into the way； there came one running； and kneeled to Him； and asked Him； Good Master； what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life？〃
The young man who asked this question was a ruler。 He had great possessions； and occupied a position of responsibility。 He saw the love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to Him； he saw how tenderly He received them； and took them up in His arms； and his heart kindled with love for the Saviour。 He felt a desire to be His disciple。 He was so deeply moved that as Christ was going on His way； he ran after Him； and kneeling at His feet； asked with sincerity and earnestness the question so important to his soul and to the soul of every human being； 〃Good Master； what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life？〃
〃Why callest thou Me good？〃 said Christ； 〃there is none good but One； that is； God。〃 Jesus desired to test the ruler's sincerity； and to draw from him the way in which he regarded Him as good。 Did he realize that the One to whom he was speaking was the Son of God？ What was the true sentiment of his heart？
This ruler had a high estimate of his own righteousness。 He did not really suppose that he was defective in anything； yet he was not altogether satisfied。 He felt the want of something that he did not possess。 Could not Jesus bless him as He blessed the little children； and satisfy his soul want？
In reply to this question Jesus told him that obedience to the commandments of God was necessary if he would obtain eternal life； and He quoted several of the commandments which show man's duty to his
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fellow men。 The ruler's answer was positive： 〃All these things have I kept from my youth up： what lack I yet？〃
Christ looked into the face of the young man； as if reading his life and searching his character。 He loved him； and He hungered to give him that peace and grace and joy which would materially change his character。 〃One thing thou lackest；〃 He said； 〃go thy way； sell whatsoever thou hast； and give to the poor； and thou shalt have treasure in heaven： and come； take up the cross； and follow Me。〃
Christ was drawn to this young man。 He knew him to be sincere in his assertion； 〃All these things have I kept from my youth。〃 The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which would enable him to see the necessity of heart devotion and Christian goodness。 He longed to see in him a humble and contrite heart； conscious of the supreme love to be given to God； and hiding its lack in the perfection of Christ。
Jesus saw in this ruler just the help He needed if the young man would become a colaborer with Him in the work of salvation。 If he would place himself under Christ's guidance； he would be a power for good。 In a marked degree the ruler could have represented Christ； for he possessed qualifications； which； if he were united with the Saviour； would enable him to become a divine force among men。 Christ； seeing into his character； loved him。 Love for Christ was awakening in the ruler's heart； for love begets love。 Jesus longed to see him a co…worker with Him。 He longed to make him like Himself； a mirror in which the likeness of God would be reflected。 He longed to develop the excellence of his character； and sanctify it to the Master's use。 If the ruler had then given himself to Christ； he would have grown in the atmosphere of His presence。 If he had made this choice； how different would have been his future！
〃One thing thou lackest；〃 Jesus said。 〃If thou wilt be perfect； go and sell that thou hast； and give to the poor； and thou shalt have treasure in heaven： and come and follow Me。〃 Christ read the ruler's heart。 Only one thing he lacked； but that was a vital principle。 He needed the love of God in the soul。 This lack； unless supplied； would prove fatal to him； his whole nature would become corrupted。 By indulgence； selfishness would strengthen。 That he might receive the love of God； his supreme love of self must be surrendered。
Christ gave this man a test。 He called upon him to choose between the heavenly treasure and worldly greatness。 The heavenly treasure was assured him if he would follow Christ。 But self must yield； his will must be given into Christ's control。 The very holiness of God was
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offered to the young ruler。 He had the privilege of becoming a son of God； and a coheir with Christ to the heavenly treasure。 But he must take up the cross； and follow the Saviour in the path of self…denial。
Christ's words were verily to the ruler the invitation； 〃Choose you this day whom ye will serve。〃 Joshua 24：15。 The choice was left with him。 Jesus was yearning for his conversion。 He had shown him the plague spot in his character； and with what deep interest He watched the issue as the young man weighed the question！ If he decided to follow Christ； he must obey His words in everything。 He must turn from his ambitious projects。 With what earnest； anxious longing； what soul hunger； did the Saviour look at the young man； hoping that he would yield to the invitation of the Spirit of God！
Christ made the only terms which could place the ruler where he would perfect a Christian character。 His words were words of wisdom； though they appeared severe a