The Cherubim are the second in dignity of the Angelic Choirs. The faculty by which they are specially distinguished is their intimate knowledge of God, and clear perception of His infinite beauty. Something of this appreciation of the Divine perfections is granted to the Saints. God reveals Himself to them because their eyes never dwell with delight on mere earthly beauty and attractiveness. If I know little of God, it is because so many earthly affections hide His face from me.

The Cherubim are always represented as little children. At first we are inclined to wonder that those who possess the deepest knowledge of God are represented not as venerable sages, but under the form of simple childhood. But what dearer indication can there be than this, that the capacity for knowing God depends, not on intellectual power or elaborate study of theology, but simply on purity of heart? "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."

The Cherubim are described by the Prophet Ezechiel as covering their faces and their feet with their wings in the presence of God, as if in dread lest some impurity should be found in them. They know that if He shall mark iniquity none can abide it, and that the very Angels are not pure in His sight. If they have this fear, how much more should I, full as I am of imperfection and sin! How can I dare to appear before Him? How can I hope to be ever admitted to gaze upon His unveiled majesty?