The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-06
CHlLDREN'S HOUR
Or Theosophy Made Easy
for Beginners.
What Was Taught at the First
Lesson-The Choice of the
Standards Bearer.

Miss Lydia Bell has evolved an original
way of teaching theosophy to children,
and yesterday put it into practice in the
new theosophical headquarters at the
corner Of Jefferson and Thirteenth streets,
Ga kland.
THE plan is built up on the basic
principles Of Froebel." explained Miss
Bell. Something of the sort has been
done before. but never in this way. l
shall aim at bringing out what is within
the child rather than intoxicating dogmas
from without. The elements of love,
faith, truth reside within the nature
their cultivation will be the thing aimed at
in the children's hour this afternoon"
About thirty children and nearly as
many parents were present at the in
auguration Of Miss BPlPs theosophical
kindergarten. There were few boys,
but most OF the pupils were girls varying
in age from five or six years to thirteen OF
fourteen. When all the little people were
seated Miss Bell asked them to begin their
class by beng as quiet as "a seed that is
under the ground"
At once thirty little mouths were reso-
lutely closed, the feet ceased swinging and
most of the children shut their eyes too,
wv
going TO be done next
After a song by Miss futile. who pre-
sided at the organ, Miss Bell requested her
pupils to rise and form into a circle, clasp
ing their hands. This circle, they were
told, was the symbol of unity. Then the
sentence. 81 am the ego seated in the heart
of all things | am the beginning, the
middle and the end Of all existing things"
was repeated many times by the class in
concert until they could say it without a
fault. The circle lesson was next taken up,
and the children marched round and round.
with clasped hands, singing a hymn be-
ginning, wake the sleeper, rouse the
dreamer"
Miss Bell and Mrs. Shoultes then stood
in the center of the circle, and the former
lady asked her pupils whet her they would
have Alice, the tallest girl in the class. for
their leader. I'VE will have Alice for our
leader" was the reply, and the newly
appointed standard bearer was at once
handed a white satin banner, inscribed
with the word Love"
Reading from typewriter manuscript.
Alice asked: "What is the first law p
The reply to this was portion OF one OF
the commandments.
1t then became the children's turn to
catechise, and they demanded: why Is
| your banner white. 0 teacher :" ana the
! teacher answered: awhile means purity.
w udC Is putty was IhO boAt duOe.iJn
taught the class, ana the answer read by
the leader from the manuscript was "Un-
| selfishness."
The same exercises were gone through
| several times 10 impress them on the pu-
pills. minds, after which the lesson closed
with the repetition of the hymn WAKE
the Sleeper" The children seemed TO
| take great interest in the Theosophical
kindergarten. and their behavior was
| beautiful.
The only little hitch that occurred was
when the class had rehearsed the banner
episode several times. one small boy, in
reply to the question. will you have
Alice for your leader? exclaimed WITH
great determination, Il want another
leader this time" He was promptly re.
monstrated with by his fond mamma how
ever. aud observed most exemplary de-
meanor during the rest of the lesson.