GROWTH


This second Sunday morning of the New Year I desire to talk to you about
growth. The most important holiday afterthought is the thought of
growth. You are going to grow every day of this year. Whenever I see a
boy on his way to school, or on the field or gymnasium floor, running,
romping, playing, I say to myself, "Can it be possible that this
restless, energetic lad was ever a quiet, helpless little babe in the
cradle!" Yes, he was, but he has grown, and he is going to keep right on
growing.

It was said of the boy Jesus, "He grew." His growth was natural. There
was nothing of precociousness in the childhood of Jesus. He grew, just
as every boy grows.

"A simple-hearted child was he,
And he was nothing more;
In summer days, like you and me,
He played about the door,
Or gathered, where the father toiled,
The shavings from the floor."

His growth continued. It did not stop with childhood, but right on
through boyhood, youth and manhood he kept growing. Best of all his
growth was balanced. He grew physically, mentally and spiritually. He
had a sound body. He loved the out-of-doors. He companionshiped much
with nature. Most of his graphic illustrations were taken from living,
growing things. He talked, almost chiefly, about seeds, grain, harvests,