It is easy to control the spring; it is very hard to control the river. Jesus wished to control the spring when he directed us to bring the children to him. And in this he showed his wisdom. It is wise to take an interest in children, and bring them early to Jesus--_because they have great influence in the world_. Who can tell the influence that children are exerting in the world? We have an illustration of this in the words that were once spoken by Themistocles, the celebrated Grecian governor and general. He had a little boy, of whom his mother was very fond and over whom the child had very great influence. His father pointed to him, one day, and said to a friend, "Look at that child; he has more power than all Greece. For the city of Athens rules Greece; I rule Athens; that child's mother rules me, and he rules his mother." I feel sure our Saviour must have felt very much as some one has done, who writes in this way about THE GOOD THAT CHILDREN DO. "A dreary place would be this earth Were there no little people in it; The song of life would lose its mirth Were there no children to begin it; "No little forms, like buds to grow, And make the admiring heart surrender; No little hands, on breast and brow, To keep the thrilling love-chords tender. "No babe within our arms to leap, No little feet towards slumber tending; No little knee in prayer to bend, Our loving lips the sweet words lending. "Life's song indeed would lose its charm, Were there no babies to begin it; A doleful place this world would be, Were there no little people in it." And if children have so great an influence in the world it was wise in Jesus to desire to have them brought early to him that they might learn to use that influence in the best possible way. And then it was wise in Jesus to desire this, again, _because bringing children to him prevents great trouble, and secures great blessing_. We are all familiar with Dr. Watts' sweet hymn, which says: "'Twill save us from a thousand snares To mind religion young." Here is a striking illustration of this truth in the history of: