XXIV. Pap.

Webster says the word “pap” means “soft food designed for children or infants.” Children, whose stomachs are weak and unable to digest hearty food, have to be fed on this. It requires but little effort of nature to dispose of this kind of food.

We have in Zion a great many aged infants that require this kind of spiritual provender. You feed them with the solid roast beef of the gospel, and immediately they are in cramps and spasms; and O, such wailings of displeasure. It is as true to-day as when St. Paul wrote to the Corinthian brethren, there are many that ought to be full grown men and women in spiritual attainments, but are mere babes, and have to be fed on infant’s food; and the only way that many can be persuaded to remain in the church, or even to make a half-way profession of the religion of Jesus Christ, is to give them large doses of this precious diet. Many will hang on tremendously, and pull mightily, so long as they receive that attention and nursing that their infantile natures demand, but as soon as that stops then comes the chills.

The cause lies in the fact, they were not weaned. The Psalmist says, “Surely, I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” If you want to spoil a child, indulge him in all that delights his fancy. Our heavenly Father knows better than to indulge his children in all their wants. He has promised to give us what we need—not all we want. “My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The best discipline that we get in this life, is to learn to deny self. The direct route to glory lies along that line. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” A radical cure is experienced in bearing the cross. This will crucify us to self, and our longing to be rocked and dandled at the expense of everybody. Bearing the cross, helping the souls and bodies of men as they need, and as you are blessed with means and opportunity will cause you to outgrow all of your infantile notions. It is gloriously possible to be fully saved in this life; to run the whole length of the Christian race with joy and gladness; go on forced marches; yea, on the double quick, carrying heavy knapsacks of sorrow and affliction, rejoicing evermore, and in everything giving thanks.