are uplifted in
thankfulness to Him. Praise be to God! You are living upon the great
continent of the West, enjoying the perfect liberty, security and peace of
this just government. There is no cause for sorrow or unhappiness
anywhere; every means of happiness and enjoyment is about you, for in this
human world there is no greater blessing than liberty. You do not know. I,
who for forty years have been a prisoner, do know. I do know the value and
blessing of liberty. For you have been and are now living in freedom, and
you have no fear of anybody. Is there a greater blessing than this?
Freedom! Liberty! Security! These are the great bestowals of God.
Therefore, praise ye God! I will now pray in your behalf.

24 April 1912
Talk at Children's Reception
Studio Hall
1219 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

What a wonderful meeting this is! These are the children of the Kingdom.
The song we have just listened to was very beautiful in melody and words.
The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and
spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is
uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for
their hearts are pure, and melodies have great influence in them. The
latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will
find expression through the medium of music. Therefore, you must exert
yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and
effect. It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for
without knowledge of this art the melodies of instrument and voice cannot
be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that the schools teach it in
order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may become vivified and
exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.

Today illumined and spiritual children are gathered in this meeting. They
are the children of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of heaven is for such souls
as these, for they are near to God. They have pure hearts. They have
spiritual faces. The effect of the divine teachings is manifest in the
perfect purity of their hearts. That is why Christ has addressed the
world, saying, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"--that is, men must become pure
in heart to know God. The teachings have had great effect. Spiritual
souls! Tender souls! The hearts of