which we exercise toward them. But merely suggesting these, I
will speak at this time of but one more mission which they perform
for us, and this, my friends, is performed through sadness and through
tears. The little child performs it by its death. It has been with us a
little while. We have enjoyed its bright and innocent companionship by
the dusty highway of life, in the midst of its toils, its cares, and its
sin. It has been a gleam of sunshine and a voice of perpetual gladness
in our homes. We have learned from it blessed lessons of simplicity,
sincerity, purity, faith. It has unsealed within us this gushing,
never-ebbing tide of affection. Suddenly, it is taken away. We miss the
gleam of sunshine. We miss the voice of gladness. Our homes are dark and
silent. We ask, "Shall it not come again?" And the answer breaks upon
us through the cold gray silence, "Nevermore!" We say to ourselves again
and again, "Can it be possible?" "Do we not dream?" "Will not that life
and affection return to us?" "Nevermore!" O! nevermore! The heart is
like an empty mansion, and that word goes echoing through its desolate
chambers. We are stricken and afflicted. But must this, should this, be
always and only so? Are we not looking merely at the earthly aspect of
the event? Has it not a spiritual phase for us? Nay, do we not begin to
consider how through our temporal affection an eternal good is wrought
out for us? Do we begin to realize that in our souls we have derived
profit from it already? Do we not begin to learn that life is not a
holiday or a workday only, but a discipline,--that God conducts that
discipline in infinite wisdom and benevolence,--mingles the draught,
and, when he sees fit, infuses bitterness? Not that constant sweet
would not please us better, but that our discipline, which is of more
importance than our indulgence, will be more effectual thereby. This is
often talked about; I ask, do not we who are called upon to mourn the
loss of children realize it,--actually realize that that loss is for
our spiritual gain? If we do not, we are merely looking upon the earthly
phase of our loss. If we do not realize this spiritual good, we may.

Yes, in death the little child has a mission for us. Through that very
departure he accomplishes for us, perhaps, what he could not accomplish
by his life. These affections which he has awakened, we have considered
how strong they are. They are stronger, are they not, than any
attachment