Wherever the tide of human life flows very deeply and swiftly, there shipwreck is most frequent and we place Rescue Missions at these points. But do we ever think of there being rescue missions in the skies? Could we scan the far battlements of heaven we might, perhaps, see them lined with hosts of angels watching and waiting to descend to the rescue of some tender child whom it were better to snatch away to scenes of glory, than leave it in an atmosphere that reeks with moral contagion. It was such a scene as appears on the page opposite that Isaiah saw when he wrote “He shall gather the lambs with his arm and shall carry them in his bosom.” He shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. _Psalm 72:4._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. RESCUED.] [Illustration] “SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN.” Great hearts are the quickest to be touched by the appeals of childhood. It is an evidence of Christ’s greatness, that he delighted not in the patronage and intercourse of the influential and mighty, but sought the friendship and love of children. Their credentials to His favor are not based upon race, or station, creed or complexion. Their frankness, their innocence, their simplicity, place them in nomination and his great heart immediately responds to those traits. “Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Unless ye become as a little child (in frankness and simplicity and innocence) ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. _Mark 9:37._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. THE GOOD SHEPHERD.] [Illustration] “IT IS I.” On the water the disciples did not recognize the Master. In the synagogue, or the highway, or at the table, they would have known him instantly, but in the unusual scene on a stormy Galilee, his presence brought alarm instead of solace. Christ may come to us when and where and how we least expect him. It will not be strange if amidst the storm, which modern science has engendered, and in which the brave gospel ship is rocking, Christ himself should come to the frightened student of His word and say, “It is I, be not afraid.” If this be true, then, science will shed its dazzling light upon his own sacred person and we shall see him more nearly as he is. Fear not: I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. _Rev. 1:17, 18._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. “IT IS I, BE NOT AFRAID.”] [Illustration] TOO BUSY.