The Power of Children in the Last Times

purity, that is, virginity original: "puritas, hoc est, virginitas". According to the histories of the Church, one must marvel at how even tender children went with joy to their martyr’s crowns like lambs and little sheep for the slaughter. And how Origen An early Christian theologian (c. 184–253 AD) known for his extreme devotion; as a youth, he reportedly wanted to join his father in martyrdom. in his most tender youth possessed such love and fervor for suffering that they could hardly restrain him from it? Who worked such things in them? Is it not the very same God? To Him, it is the same whether He works His deeds and reveals His glory in adults or in small children. Indeed, His glory becomes more visible in children than in adults, of whom one might think (as some indeed have done) that they endured such martyrdom out of a firm resolve or a whim German: caprise; an old spelling of caprice., seeking some personal glory through their own strength. Such objections—which the General of Martyrs A poetic reference to Christ as the leader of the faithful. oversees—cease when it comes to tender children.

§ 3. Now that God has made a beginning of this work through the Silesian children Referring to the "Children’s Prayer" (Kinderbeten) movement in Silesia (1707–1708), where thousands of children gathered in fields to pray for peace. in the Silesian mountains—and indeed, as reported from Great Glogau Modern Głogów, Poland. on January 2nd, 1708, this occurred afterward in Sprottau Modern Szprotawa, Poland. on the Day of the Holy Innocents December 28th; a feast day commemorating the children killed by Herod, here used to link the movement to biblical themes of childhood innocence. of the previous year—it has spread from one place to another in such a visible manner, working such unusual zeal for prayer in them. For we believe, even according to common theological propositions German: Thesibus., that since they were born of Christian parents and were received and accepted into God’s covenant through Holy Baptism,

merged German: hineingesäncket; literally "sunken into," referring to the spiritual union with Christ's death and benefits through baptism. into the death of Christ and into all His benefits, why would we want to harbor evil thoughts about it? Why not rather consider it a miracle that our God has been pleased to use in these final times to rouse the elderly—who have been so sluggish in prayer and in their Christianity—and to convert them? Miracles have otherwise happened here and there in many past years, both in the heavens, on the earth, and in the sea. A few years ago, we also had many earthquakes and gazed with astonishment at the very great Comet of the year 1680 The Great Comet of 1680 was one of the brightest of the 17th century, often interpreted as a providential sign or warning.. But how has the world come to God through these things? Have people not remained as hardened as before? But now that God takes the children, as the parents' own flesh and blood, and moves them so powerfully to prayer, He has prepared an open door for Himself to enter the parents' hearts, moving them more conveniently and powerfully. Our God has succeeded in this, having brought many hundreds of parents to different thoughts and drawn them to Himself through these means. From such a great divine effect, we can surely conclude that the cause must also be divine. As I have seen with my own eyes—what movements occurred in the hearts of the elders during the prayer and after the prayer was finished, both under the open sky and at home—and whoever saw how their eyes were full of tears, he will [dismiss] all