uncommon to see children walking in truth.
Children, John was a good man, and full of love to souls, and this was one reason why he rejoiced.
2. For another thing, John rejoiced because it is very uncommon to see children walking in truth.
Dear children, I am very sorry to tell you, there are many bad boys and girls in the world. Too many are careless, thoughtless, selfwilled, and disobedient. Nobody can rejoice over them.
I hear many fathers and mothers complaining about this. I hear many school teachers speak of it. I am afraid it is quite true.
There are many children who will not give their minds to anything that is good. They will not do what they are told. They like to be idle, and to have their own way. They love playing better than learning. They do things which God says are wicked and wrong, and are not ashamed. And all this is very sad to see.
John, you may be sure, had found this out, for he was an aged man, as well as an Apostle, and had seen many things. He knew that even the children of good people sometimes turn out very badly. I dare say he remembered Jacob and David, and all the sorrow their children caused them. And no doubt he knew what Solomon says in the book of Proverbs: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child."
When, therefore, John saw this lady's children not turning out bad, like others, but walking in the way they should go, he might well feel it was a special mercy. I do not at all wonder that he greatly rejoiced.