The Birthright of Children.

For all of the little ones in my life who came into the world (or will come into the world shortly!) as empty, blank canvases. May you revel in the beauty of creation and enjoy the great Creator even more.

The Birthright of Children

by Dr. Henry Turner Bailey

All children should know the joy of playing in heathful mud, of paddling in clean water, of hearing birds sing praises to God for the new day.

They should have the vision of pure skies enriched at dawn and sunset with unspeakable glory; of dew-drenched mornings flashing with priceless gems; of the vast night sky all throbbing and panting with stars.

They should live with flowers and butterflies, with the wild things that have made possible the world of fables.

They should experience the thrill of going barefoot, of being out in the rain; of riding a white birch, of sliding down pine boughs, of climbing ledges and tall trees, of diving head -first into a transparent pool.

They ought to know the smell of the wet earth, of new mown hay, of sweetform, mint, and fir; of the breath of cattle and of fog blown inland from the sea.

They should hear the answer the trees make to the rain and to the wind; the sound of rippling and fallng water; the muffled roar of the sea in a storm.

They should have a chance to catch fish, to ride on a load of hay, to camp out, to cook over an open fire, tramp through a new country and sleep under the open sky.

They should have the fun of driving a horse, paddling a canoe, sailing a boat.

One cannot appreciate and enjoy to the full extent nature books, novels, histories, poems, pictures, or even musical compositions, who has not in his youth enjoyed the blessed contact with the world of nature.