The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-20
SDn1 in School.

l have little book which I love very
dearly. 1t is 'my mothers Bible-her
pocket Bible" She bought it when a
girl, and perhaps her busy fingers
sewed or knit for it, as she has often
Informed me this was the way she paid
for many sundries.
In days not so "long agon it was the
custom of church members to carry
their Bibles to church and follow the
minister as he read the sacred lesson,
also to sing from the book. This was
the purpose for which the dear little
volume of which I have spoken was
bought.
Yes, [ well remember when my
mother rode horseback to church and
l had to ride behind her. 1 remember,
too, the little Bible and the few bis
cults IN the faithful old pocket which
were not to be forgotten; but above all
I remember when inside the old church
walls my mothers trembling lips and
pure sweet voice joined "Those songs
that once did sweet in Zion glide" to
grand old Dundee or some otner con-
secrated tune. Dear church of my
fathers, in your quiet sunny spot you
stand unchanged, and methinks your
brown walls yet echo the "Songs of
the departedn
Parents leave your children pious
memorial. We would not dare to say
that the former days were better than
these, but we must say that new fathers
and mothers do not sing in church as
they once did. Frequently you see
them sitting, holding their books with
sealed lips, and when asked to sing
they say they cannot. We would not
doubt their truthfulness in the least
but for this Cannot" in Christians
whose very souls would love to praise,
there must be a good reason. This
reason must be that they have never
learned to sing.
Now as school teachers are rousing
all along the line let US see to it that
we pay due attention to the subject of
song. It is not expected that we teach
Juveniles the principles of music, but
We can do much towards training their
voices and helping them to learn the
duty and privilege Of praise. Let US
teach them not only to sing, but that
there is a divine purpose in song.
For several years we have had sing
ing casually in school, but had not
given it stated place. While attend
ing our County School Conventions"
we heard Miss Garlington's and Miss
Wheeler's classes sing. We at once
determined to go back to school and
profit by their example. "Never too
old to learn" was favorite' maxim
with mother and we'll she impressed it
on us. We now give singing its place.
The first lesson each afternoon is
song. We use the Sabbath School
books Of the community with some
plaiutive airs we learned in days of
yore. 1t is needless to say our children
love to sing. They sing with will and
there is surely more of heaven than
earth in our song, when the little darl-
ings all chime out.
~ 1thing but the blood of Jesus"
1t would do you good too to hear them
sing "Good bye" Down in my good
old home" or other lullabies with which
your fond mother soothed you as she
rocked you to sleep.
Fellow, teacher when you feel joyous
encourage your children to sing and
when you feel careworn and weary tell
them to sing and sing with them.
The song lesson each day is the most
pleasant lesson We have. The sceptic
may smile but there is an inspiration
about which savors of celestial air, and
which tends to dispel gloom from the
aching brow. Let US then cultivate
the companionship of song. Why
should itsinfuence be ess potent now
than in the days of poor, old, envious
Saul. Why should the harp strings of
the monarch MINSTREL vibrate more
sweetly than those turned by Gods
own fingers and why, oh why, should
we refuse to sing? J. A. L.