The times., 1898-09-11
KINDERGARTEN SERMONS.
They Are Becoming Part of Regular
Sunday Services.

Through the Connecticut Valley espec-
tally in the larger towns, custom of
sermon-hour kindergartens is being es-
tablished, which proves a delight to pas
tors, mothers, children, and churchgo-
ers In general Whether the New Eng
land mother born of church-going an
cestry. is responsible for this new feat
ure in home missionary work, or wheth-
er the discussion at some pastors con-
vention of the pros and cons of urging
mothers with children TO attend service,
brought out this adaptation of the kim
dergarten from theory TO practice, no
one seems TO know. Whoever is respon-
sible, the blessing is widespread. The
most entertaining children's sermon, new
er SO simply told, pales into insignificance
before the Kaleidoscope action of the
kindergarten, where the small boy is not
hurt by trying to ''sit STILL or the little
girl baby told she must not talk out
loud or whisper"
Indeed so recognized feature of
church life has the babies play hour be-
come that before singing the hymn pre-
ceding the sermon, the pastor invariably
announces, "All children in the audience
are most cordially invited TO adjourn to
the Sunday school rooms. where Mrs
Smith and Miss Annie Brown will con-
duct the sermon-hour kindergarten"
With the singing of the hymn. Mrs
Smith and her assistant take up the col
lection of these wee bits of the kingdom
of heaven, with an occasional mother
perhaps leading shy newcomer who has
not the courage OF his convictions And
| the baby Christians flock down the aisles
| like so many happy little butterflies, en-
route for garden OF roses They trudge
I, along past the deacons with a pleased
| grin or sometimes giggle of anticipated
| delight. And even the fondest parent
gives over her prim little hearts delight
| or chubby, restless baby boy with sigh
| of content, and with mind now free to
| take in the words of comfort or advice.
Occasionally a door opens somewhere,
and Precious jewels. precious jewels.
His loved, and His own, floats to the
listeners of the sermon like a yeritable
| angel chorus. or during the benediction
the merry chatter of tine little ones is
waited from the vestry. As for the
children the sermon time has past too
quickly. Beside the singing of infant
class songs, there have been song games
games with subtle religious lesson in
the words or action
One of the prettiest little adaptations
of the regular kindergarten is the song
game OF the chickadees. The children
form a circle with Joined hands. Mrs
Smith tells Baby North he can be
papa-bird He takes his place in the
center of the ring, and In turn chooses
his little mate. Together they choose
alternately seven or more of the little
folk to make their nest. These seven
join hands, making a smaller circle
within the first and large one, which
Is kept intact by dint of much stretch
ing of the little arms, which the babies
take 10 most kindly. When the nest is
complete the choosing continues until
a flock of. say, five birdlings, is gath
cred. Then Miss Brown plays softly
the simple little melody. and the chill
dren sing verse after verse in high glee,
while the chickadees cuddle in their
nest. The song words. which the little
| ones soon memorize. tell of the good
ness and love of our Heavenly Father
who cares for even the smallest bird.
At certain verses the papa bird flies
out to find food for his small family.
and by and by, when the chickadee
babies are grown. the mamma bird
| takes them out TO try their wings.