7974. 'besides young children' means the good of innocence. This is clear from the meaning of 'young child' as the good of innocence, dealt with in 430, 1616, 2126, 2305, 3183, 3494, 4797.

2126. A further representation was made of how at the present time those inside the Church are opposed to Innocence itself. There appeared a beautiful and innocent child. Once it had appeared the external restraints by means of which evil genii and spirits are withheld from wickedness were relaxed a little. At that point they started to treat the little child very badly, to trample on it, and to wish to kill it, one in this way, another in that; for in the next life innocence is represented by means of little children. I exclaimed however that they are not seen to behave in such ways during the life of the body, to which the reply came that they are such interiorly and that but for civil laws to prevent them, and also other external restraints, such as the fear of losing wealth, position, and reputation, and the fear of losing their life, they would in the selfsame way rush madly against all who are innocent. When they heard this reply they poked fun at that too. What has been said therefore makes clear the character of people at the present day, as well as the fact that the last times are imminent.