without leaving all their value, all their spirit, outside the
unchildlike place. The babes are near enough whence they come, to
understand a little how things go in the presence of their father in
heaven, and thereby to interpret the words of the Son. The child who has
not yet 'walked above a mile or two from' his 'first love,' is not out
of touch with the mind of his Father. Quickly will he seal the old bond
when the Son himself, the first of the babes, the one perfect babe of
God, comes to lead the children out of the lovely 'shadows of eternity'
into the land of the 'white celestial thought.' As God is the one only
real father, so is it only to God that any one can be a perfect child.
In his garden only can childhood blossom.

The leader of the great array of little ones, himself, in virtue of his
firstborn childhood, the first recipient of the revelations of his
father, having thus given thanks, and said why he gave thanks, breaks
out afresh, renewing expression of delight that God had willed it thus:
'Even so, father, for so it seemed good in thy sight!' I venture to
translate, 'Yea, O Father, for thus came forth satisfaction before
thee!' and think he meant, 'Yea, Father, for thereat were all thy angels
filled with satisfaction,' The babes were the prophets in heaven, and
the angels were glad to find it was to be so upon the earth also; they
rejoiced to see that what was bound in heaven, was bound on earth; that
the same principle held in each. Compare Matt, xviii. 10 and 14; also
Luke xv. 10. 'See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I
say unto you that their angels in heaven do always behold the face of my
father which is in heaven.... Thus it is not the will before your father
which is in heaven,'--_among the angels who stand before him_, I think
he means,--'that one of these little ones should perish.' 'Even so, I
say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth.'