The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-24

Sunday is His day. Therefore it is
by right the light day. But unless
the parents open the windows and
shutters Of the young hearts about
them, what will avail the outside
shining?
Here come pair of little feet pat
tering across the threshold.
"Charley boy, which day of all the
days do you like the best.
Sunday day, father"
"Why?"
"Oh, it is the happiest day"
From beginning to end, from the
first bird-note in the dawning until
the tired birds cease their song at dusk,
the parents effort ought to be to make
the day exceptional for both the quail
ity and the degree of its happiness.
But can that idea be realized? l
think 80. How?
!. In part by meeting as fully as is
possible the child love for the beauti-
full. Is there not on the shelves a
bit Of ornamental china that is some
what above the grade of the workday
dishes? If it had been used daily it
would be scarcely noticed; but now {;
Sabbath by Sabbath, place it upon the
table and it will seem to the children
to be an ever-repeated Sabbath-day
gift to them. 1t will be that. If pos
stbler let there be something for all,
for one a pretty cup, for another a
plate, q piece of cut glass.
but such things are costly. Yes,
they are too costly for many a home.
But there is an ornament which is
frse to the humblest home, and also
is better than any most delicate piece
OF human handioraft for it is God
made and very beautiful. Let the
mother 90 to the window where all
the weak her geraniums and primroses
and. begonlas have been turning their
leaves and perhaps their blossoms to-
wards the light. She chooses the pref
tiest. She places it on the table. AS
the children come trooping in. see
what q bright "good morning" it has
'fsr shemall, for old and young. The
proof isthe answering smile in their
rfkoes. The flower is there like wei
eone guest come to tarry with them
Sos the day, and with smile that will
bless them the whole day through.
I've known wee and modest flower,
.Yransform ali hearts with subtle power.
though twere love that smiled while.
2. Further, meet as fully as is pos
sible the child love for play. The
child needs play. 1t would be tempt
ing. him beyond what he is able to bear
to forbid 1t, even for day. But let it
be Sunday play. Let there be "Sun-
day playthings" as there are Sunday
clothes, and let them be of the best
and prettiest. Then guide the chill
dren in the use of them. The dolls
can be dressed, not for schools and
calls, but for church and for visiting
the-ssck. The boys horses, they need
not be allowed to work. Let them
have generous feeds or grain and ex-
tra care because the Sunday is theirs
as well as their masters. Or let them
be turned out to pasture with the other
animals. And then if one of them
or cow or sheep fall into prepared
pit, no matter. It will be right for
the boys 10 take them out even on the
Sabbath, and in doing it to learn les
son concerning the mercy of the Christ
whois Lord of the Sabbath day. Or
If the horses must be harnessed let
them carry the dolls to church.
Sometimes, when the children have
learned to love the real church and
Suadsy-school, letthem play "church"
and .Sunday-school" and "preach-
ing" No fear but that their play will
be reverent. And who knows Pit
nsey be an early step in the training
ofbsys who hereafter shall be sur
Iianaed 'sBoanerges, which is, The sons
Of thunder" and of daughters who
shall be "cornerstones polished after
the similitude of palace"
AOrteH the boys and girls to play
That they are Hebrew children and a
part Of an imaginary throng march
ing together in the glad feast-times
'towards Mt. Zion and jerusalem.
Teach them to sing as they go one
or another of the "Songs of the AS
cent" IF will lift up mine eyes unto
the hills" or II was glad when they
Isid unto me, Let US go into the house
of the Lord" As they reach the i'm
sgfned holy city and temple, let them
hear the silver trumpets welcoming
them and no matter what the real
sound is, If only the sound of a bat
tsred trumpet of tin, their imagina-
tioncan easily yglorify it. Then let them
make their booths outside the city
walls. Simply give them the outline
of the story land this is but one story
among 80 many that can be so used)
and they will fill in the details for
their play. twill be absorbing play.
It may be most helpful, for who knows