Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-27

tn HERE is no service of the year
more beautiful than that annual
Sunday in June dedicated to the
children; when the little ones OF
the congregation and Sunday-school
all over the land are gathered into our
churches for exercises of their very
own.
Whence or how It came, this habit
OF observing Children's Day, we know
not; suhice II TO say there rs scarcely
denomination today but holds It one
OF the greatest occasions of the church
year.
From early times certain ministers
have devoted special days to the chill
dren of their flock Then after Sunday
schools became general the little peo-
pie grew into still greater promi-
nence on anniversary occasions. but
II has only been in the last twenty
hve years that ChildIen's Day has be-
come one OF the regular features OF
church work. The Methodists were
probably the first denomination to
give such day the sanction of their
General Conference. In 1888 the Pres
byterians appointed the second Sum
day in June as a festival day for the
children. Since then it's observance
has become almost universal.
1t is none too soon to begin prep
arations for this happy event Teach
ers and church officers should aim to
make II a really golden day in the
lives of the children-a day the mem
DRY of which will linger through life.
Everything should be bright and sun
shiny, to impress the joyfulncss of re-
ligion upon plastic minds This should
be the main idea in arranging pro-
gramme. Music, recitations and adj
dresses should not have hint of gloom
or depression, and there should be flow
ers. flowers, flowers everywhere 1t was
happy thought 70 have Children's Day
in the Month OF Roses" with its wealth
OF bloom TO add beauty to the service.
Make Music Special Feature.
Materially, each church has it partic-
ular method of observance. In some the
morning service is devoted to the pri-
mary scholars and the evening 70 the
older children, Again, there may be a
special meeting for the afternoon; usu-
ally, though, all the children of the
CHURCH assemble at the regular morning
service.
Children are much more Impressed
that Childrens Day is really their own
II they bear prominent part In the eX-
ercises Many interesting cantatas. or
printed forms, may be bought for such
an occasion; but, as rule, programmes
are prepared by a committee or by the
superintendent OF the primary Sunday
school.
In making the selections, both to sing
and recite, choose whEt Is within the
comprehension OF the children, but let 1t
be really good. II is a great mistake to
think that the young can only he at
tracted by literary or musical trash. In
hymns, especially, there are now heauti-
full ones composed for just such a day,
SO that the music can be made a special
feature.
In addition TO drilling the school in
several general hymns-and. by the way
hard, special drlll In music and verse
and recitation Is necessary Ii the serV-
ice Is not to be a failuTe-it Is well 10
arrange for a little special music. A
child with a sweet voice might be given
sclO, or there might be songS by a
choir Of boys and another by the little
girls.
Then. by all means have a process
gfn ID
their parents and the grown-up part of
the congregation There is something
very inspiring In seeing long lines OF
White-robed boys and girls-the almost
babes OF the infant department leading
marching with rapt, intent faces into a
church. caToling as they go. Onward.
Christian Soldiers" or some other stir
ring hymn.