When I look back upon my life nigh spent,
Nigh spent, although the stream as yet flows on,
I more of follies than of sins repent,
Less for offence than Love’s shortcoming moan.
With self, O Father, leave me not alone–
Leave not with the beguiler the beguiled;
Besmirched and ragged, Lord, take back Thine own:
A fool I bring Thee to be made a child.
There is a wide difference between childlikeness and childishness. Childlikeness is commended as very beautiful in life and disposition. The Master exhorted His disciples to become as little children, and said that until they would do so they could not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The finest things in character are childlike things – humility, simplicity, trustfulness, the absence of scheming and ambition – guilelessness.
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