Everlasting thanks to Thee, Lord Jesus!
I need not first grow up in wickedness, and
then painfully return, with blemishes and
scars on my soul, to undo with sorrow what
has been done in sin. I need not learn to
neglect and hate Thee first, and then after-
wards to seek and love Thee. I may grow up
in piety, so as not to be able to remember a
time when I did not love Thee. From child-
hood I may wax strong in spirit, be filled
with wisdom, and have the grace of God
upon me.
Beautiful childhood, which is fashioned
after Thine own, Holy Child Jesus!
We should keep up the name of “saints,” that the reality of the true religion be not lowered by avoiding this title; for in these times it is to be feared that the name is out of use, because holiness itself is out of fashion.
Thomas Goodwin