And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Even so it is not the will of your father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Therefore, believing it is wise and that it is a sacred duty to dedicate our precious little ones to God in this solemn manner; believing that all the dear children are especially loved by Christ; and that when taken from this world before active, intentional participation in sin, they are saved by His merciful grace; and believing that Christ by His example, and the apostles by their direct teaching, reserve the sacred ordinance of baptism for repentant believers, we will now unitedly ask the Lord to accept the consecration of this child (children), and to take him in His spiritual arms and bless him.

Prayer.

Hymn.

Benediction.

* * * * *

The pastor’s reception to the children Thanksgiving afternoon is a service the youngsters await from one year to another.  Each child is supposed to bring some article to be given to Samaritan Hospital.  One year each child brought a potato, which in the aggregate amounted to several barrels.  A writer in the “Temple Magazine,” describing one of these services, says: 

“The children came from all directions, of all sizes and in all conditions.  One lad marched up the aisle to a front seat, and his garments fluttered, flag-like, at many points as he went; others were evidently rich men’s darlings, but all were happy, and their bright eyes were fixed on the curtained platform, rather than on each other.  They came until four or five thousand of them had arrived, filling every nook and corner of the Upper Temple.”

“Then Dr. Conwell came in, made them all feel at home—­they already were happy—­and music, songs and entertainment followed for an hour or more.  At the close he shook hands with every happy youngster who sought him—­and few failed to do it—­gave each a cheery word and hearty handclasp, and then the little ones scattered, swarming along the wide pavements of Broad Street till the Thanksgiving promenaders wondered what had broken loose and whence the swarms of merry children came.”

Sunrise services are held Easter and Christmas mornings at seven o’clock.  These beautiful days are ushered in by a solemn prayer meeting, spiritual, uplifting, which seems to attune the day to the music of heavenly things, and to send an inspiration into it which glorifies every moment.