ed in blood. It was a call of
mercy, preceding judgment.

Are Your Children Safe?

The text which I have selected has a special application to Christian
people and to parents. This command of the Scripture was given to Noah
not only for his own safety, but that of his household, and the
question which I put to each father and mother is this: "Are your
children in the ark of God?" You may scoff at it, but it is a very
important question. Are all your children in? Are all your
grandchildren in? Don't rest day or night until you get your children
in. I believe my children have fifty temptations where I had one. I am
one of those who believe that in the great cities there is a snare set
upon the corner of every street for our sons and daughters; and I
don't believe it is our business to spend our time in accumulating
bonds and stocks. Have I done all I can to get my children in? That is
it.

Now, let me ask another question: What would have been Noah's feelings
if, when God called him into the ark, his children would not have gone
with him? If he had lived such a false life that his children had no
faith in his word, what would have been his feelings? He would have
said: "There is my poor boy on the mountain. Would to God I had died
in his place! I would rather have perished than had him perish." David
cried over his son: "Oh, my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would
God I had died for thee!" Noah loved his children, and they had
confidence in him.

Someone sent me a paper a number of years ago, containing an article
that was marked. Its title was: "Are all the children in?" An old wife
lay dying. She was nearly one hundred years of age, and the husband
who had taken the journey with her, sat by her side. She was just
breathing faintly, but suddenly she revived, opened her eyes, and
said:

"Why! it is dark."

"Yes, Janet, it is dark."

"Is it night?"

"Oh, yes! it is midnight."

"Are all the children in?"

There was that old mother living life over again. Her youngest child
had been in the grave twenty years, but she was traveling back into
the old days, and she fell asleep in Christ asking, "Are all the
children in?"

Dear friend, are they all in? Put the question to yourself now. Is
John in? Is James in? Or is he immersed in business and pleasure? Is
he living a double and dishonest life? Say! where is your boy, mother?
Where is your son, your daughter? Is it well with your children? Can
you say it