welcome September 2, 2002 Issue

An extra-important priority

Steve Graham

In 1789, the English poet William Blake published a moving poem about little Tom Dacre, a young boy forced to sweep chimneys. In a dream Tom has, an angel comes and frees "thousands of sweepers" just like him from their servitude—" ... and the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy, / He'd have God for his father, and never want joy." Tom wakes up happy, warmed by this divine assurance.

Today there are children who face conditions every bit as Draconian. Others are confronted with neglect or abuse. And while the modern world may be able to offer some kids a quality of life and a freedom from drudgery that the children of Blake's day could never have dreamed of, the heightened sophistication and faster pace of the 21st century threaten to devalue the innocence and inquisitiveness of youth.

This week you will read about individual efforts to help children who are being exploited, who are poor, sick, in trouble, or who simply need the nurturing that any young person requires. In one way or another, all these efforts are helping the world do better by its children, one at a time, through the power of sincere and unselfish loving.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Letters
letters
September 2, 2002
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit