Singing in the Sabbath-School.
By J. S. Hart
CHILDREN without exception are fond of good music. It has become, in the last few years, one of the most powerful means for bringing children into the Sabbath-school. In the mission schools of our large cities, a great many of the scholars are attracted to the school in the first place by the music. The teachers literally sing them in. Children, whose parents for some reason do not allow them to enter the school, are often seen hanging with longing ears about the doors and windows, listening to the sweet music, and sometimes even braving punishment rather than forego the pleasure. Good music is one of the most important means of bringing children into the Sabbath-school, and of keeping them there; while great care should be taken not to employ music in the school which is irreverent, or undevotional, or which has unworthy and degrading associations, care is still more needed on the other hand that it should be of that living and attractive sort which the children love, and in which they can join; any tune or any hymn, which after fair trial it is found the children do not take to, had better be dropped for something which they will take to.—J. S. Hart.