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THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW,
EXERCISES
FOR
CHRISTMAS AKD HKW YEARS'.
LAWN PARTIES, MISSION BANDS,
AND
SUNDAY SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENTS.
^(^ 17JS33 ^
BY
MRS. ADA C. CHAPLIN.
yiy
BOSTON:
HOWARD GANNETT
TREMONT TEMPLE.
18S3.
Copyright, 1883,
By Howard Gannett.
C. M A Twitchell & Co., 43 KIlby Street,
PRINTERS.
CONTENTS.
Pa^e.
1. THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW, . . . " 7
2. WHAT WILL YOU HAVE? 13
3. THE YOUNG GIANT KILLERS, . . . . iS
4. THE STORY OF SEVEN DOLLARS, ... 22
5. SEEDS AND PENNIES, 26
6. THE BEST LESSON, 27
7. WHAT SHOULD A LITTLE LOY BE? . . 31
8. THE PENNIES, 31
9. THE ALPHABET CLASS, 32
10. THE FIVE WISHES, . . . . . .34
11. WHICH TREE WILL YOU CHOOSE? . . 37
12. THE TRY COMPANY, 40
13. HAPPY NEW YEAR, . . . . . .44
14. WHY DO YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS?. . . 45
15. EXAMINATION OF THE RECIPE CLUB,. . 47
16. DAILY BREAD, 56
17. INFANT CLASS EXERCISE, . . . .57
18. BIBLE CLASS EXERCISE, 6^
19. MISSION BAND EXERCISE, .... 75
PREFACE.
" Coals to Newcastle ! Ice to Labrador ! Warm-
ing-pans to the West Indies ! Any other preposterous
thing you please ; but not a new book of concert exer-
cises before the American Sunday School public."
No, we will not. If you belong to one of those
favored Sunday Schools which have always scholars
enough to carry out the desired exercises, and exer-
cises adapted to the desired number of scholars, this
book is not for you. Neither is it for you if you
belong to one of those ujifavored schools, that have
never reached out a helping hand to draw in the
indifferent, careless and unpunctual, and make them
careful, punctual and trustworthy.
But if you believe that the first mission of the
Sunday School, and especially of its public entertain-
ments, is to this latter class, and have been, like the
author of these pages, embarrassed by the lack of
pieces that could be used for either a larger or smaller
number of speakers, and that would not be injured
by the absence of any one at the last, you may find
help in this collection, all of whose parts are so ar-
ranged as to require but one general rehearsal, and
all of whose longer exercises (with the exception of
the first) can be readily adapted to widely varying
numbers of speakers.
A WOED TO THE lEADEE OF THE EXERCISES.
1. Select for the absolutely essential parts of the
exercise the best speaker from among your most
punctual scholars.
2. Be sure that every scholar is remembered, but
especially care for those whom you would naturally
think of last.
3. Send or carry parts to absent scholars. Many
a wayward one has been brought back by an invita-
tion to take part in some public exercise. Even the
declining of an invitation may lead to the revealing
and healing of suspected but not previously under-
stood disaffections.
4. Do not urge speaking where it is really un-
pleasant to the scholar, or where an invitation is
declined merely to elicit more coaxing, but encourage
the timid and backward, and spare no pains to inter-
est the indifferent.
5. Let the scholars think of all these entertain-
ments as a part of the Master's 'work.
6. Never engage in any Concert or other public
exhibition without earnest prayer for wisdom to make
it, in the highest and best sense, a help to all who
take part in it.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
First Speaker {aIo?ie),
I have buried the Old Year away,
Buried it out of my sight,
The New Year is merry and gay,
I'll give it a welcome to-night.
The past has brought many a tear to my eye,
I'm glad that at last I can bid it goodbye.
I'll welcome the merry New Year,
The Old one is finished at last.*
But what are these forms that appear.
That come to me out of the past ?
Can it be that the wearisome months have not gone,
That the year I thought buried has only passed on ?
JANUARY.
We greet you, the months of the dying year.
We bid you farewell to-night,
We shall meet you again in another sphere,
When the ages take their flight.
The forms that to-night in vision you see.
To-morrow are lost in eternity.
/ came the first. In my snowy fold
I covered the earth away.
My wild v/inds told, how with bitter cold
And famine, from day to day
Men were dying, whom you might warm and feed,
And yon pitied them. Where was the ansv/ering deed .
* [Enter twelve young ladies dressed in white, as the twelve months.]
TEE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
FEBRUARY.
I told you the story again,
I — second child of the year,
The story of perishing men,
Of firesides desolate, drear ;
Of little ones out in my pitiless rain.
And of hearts that were aching with keener pain.
For a bitterer cold than mine
Knows the heart that is left alone.
Whose sun has ceased to shine
And whose bread is turned to stone.
Did you come with the warmth of a sister's
[brother's] love.
And point those souls to the Friend above ?
MARCH.
I am March. I marshalled my host.
For the queen of the tempest am I.
I shewed you a wreck-strewn coast,
A raging sea, and a sky
That only answered with darker fear
The eyes uplifted with prayer and tear.
I told of a wreck-strewn coast
Where spirits desolate lie,
And of others, tempest tossed.
With never a beacon nigh.
Did your light shine brightly across the wave ?
Did you strive one soul from the storm to save ?
APRIL.
Then April came with a smile and a tear,
I called back the birds with their songs of cheer.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
The fetters of ice from the streams I broke,
The word of life to the trees I spoke.
Did your song ascend with the song of the bird ?
Was a deeper life in your spirit stirred ?
Mid the winter's winds you laid away
A friend, to rest till the final day ;
In my opening promise of bud and bloom,
Did you read the life that shall spring from the tomb ?
MAY.
With springing grass and blooming flowers,
With lengthening days and brightening hours,
With spade and plow and plenteous seed
Sown, broadcast for the winter's need.
With holier seed of heavenly grace
Seeking in souls a resting-place,
I came, and some with willing heart
Chose, ere I passed, the better part,
And some, with pledge of lips and hand.
And vows their faith by works to prove,
United with the hallowed band
Confessing Christ's redeeming love.
Did you, with them, your pledge renew ?
And have you to those vows been true ?
JUNE.
I am the month of roses.
You call me the beautiful June,
To me the earth uncloses
Her heart in happiest tune.
From flower and leaf came a song of praise
And did your heart its anthem raise ?
10 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
JULY.
The midsummer month am I,
And through all of my glowing days
The sun poured down from on high
The strength of his scorching rays,
And the grass that sprang fair and green in May
Beneath the scythe of the mower lay
And I said, " All flesh is grass,
As the flow^er its strength shall fade,
The reaper, Death, shall pass
He spareth not one blade.
Did you hear the voice of the new-mown ha}^
And another, whispering, " Work to-day ? "
AUGUST.
I told of the summer's ending,
I loaded my fields with grain,
Their heads, as they ripened, bending
To whisper — O was it in vain
They whispered, " The fruit of the fields I see,
But what, O what, shall thy harvest be ? "
SEPTEMBER.
I came, my lap o'erflowing
With Autumn's store of gold,
With purple clusters showing
God's bounty manifold.
Heardst thou a voice from vine and tree,
"The Master seeketh fruit on ikee^ "
OCTOBER.
Then next comes the gorgeous October,
The earth, in her arms, to enfold.
THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW 11
Like a queen for a moment I robe her,
With scarlet, and crimson, and gold.
But my gold has all vanished, and ghastly and bare
Are the desolate branches that sway in the air
I asked, " Are you seeking for pleasure ^
For gold that can last but a day ?
Or first have you laid up your treasure
Where no man can take it away ? "
Did you hear the voice of the fading leaf,
Of the finished harvest and garnered sheaf ?
NOVEMBER.
I came with glad Thanksgiving
For the mercies of the year,
For the joy, the bliss of living,
For friendship's ties so dear.
Little you cared though torrents poured
From a leaden sky. Round the festive board
Met those you love. To your truest Friend
Did your heart in a song of praise ascend 'i
DECEMBER.
I came, the wan December,
I laid my terrors by,
And gently said, " Remember
We watch here, you and I,
To see the Old Year die."
Her pulse is beating slowly.
If you have done her wrong
I pray you, bending lowly.
Confess, and rise more strong
To sing the New Year's song.
12 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE NEW.
First Speaker (rising).
But how can my spirit be free
From its burden of sorrow and sin ? '
No promise of hope comes to me,
No Hght from without or within.
The months that to-night in vision I see,
Must I meet them again in eternity ?"*
THE NEW YEAR.
I am the Happy New Year,
I come with a message of love
From the Friend, than all others most dear,
The Heavenly Father above.
I bid you repent and believe.
And this hour, rejoicing, you may
The gift of God's mercy receive.
And the sins of the past wash away.
This hour, O speak but the word,
From a heart that is earnest and true,
And thy pledge shall in heaven be heard.
And thy life, with the year, shall be new.
First Speaker {ciddressing the twelve months).
Farewell, Old Year. In peace we part.
I give to you the token
That, though to-night the tears may start.
We'll meet in joy unbroken.
You cannot move with fear the heart
Wherein God's peace is spoken.
* The New Year enters (a child dressed in white).
WHA T WILL YOU HAVE? 13
{Turiiing arid joining hands with the New Year.)
And hand in hand, New Year, with thee,
I go forth to the reaping.
The heart the Son of God makes free
Knows naught of bitter weeping.
The years behind, the years I see
Before, are in His keeping.
WHAT WILL YOU HAYE?
Santa Claus, dressed with cap, mask, robe and
bells, as usual, seats himself, pencil and paper in
hand, in front of a group of from six to twenty-one
children.
SANTA CLAUS.
Through ice and snow
My reindeers go.
Back to the land of the Esquimaux,
Where north winds, whales and travellers blow,
Where grand old Orion spreads his bow,
Where sealskin caps on their owners grow,
Where the gentle white bear murmurs low,
Where the Northern lights at midnight glow,
Where you need not know
To reap or mow,
To plant or sow,
14 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
To plow or hoe.
But before I go,
Tell me what shall I bring to you,
When o'er fields of white, 'neath skies of blue,
Next time by night my steeds come through ?
(^Children answer in succession^
1. Bring me a bran new pair of pants.
2. Bring me a grandma and forty-six aunts.
3. Give me a watch and a golden chain.
4. A steam-engine and a railroad train.
5. Give me a doll that will open her eyes.
6. Give me an owl that looks so wise.
7. Give me a rocking-horse, painted gay.
8. Give me a live horse, with plenty of hay.
9. Give me a reindeer, and sleigh-bells too,
So I can be Santa Glaus just like you.
10. Give me some candy and figs and dates,
11. Give me a sled and a pair of skates.
12. Give me a beautiful Christmas cake.
With some little pies such as grandma'd bake.
13. Bring me a tool-chest, furnished with tools.
WHAT WILL YOU HAVE? 15
14. Bring me a work-box, with thimble and spools.
15. Give me an album, where folks might write
Their wishes kind and their thoughts so bright.
16. Give me a pair of steers, with a yoke
Made of the very hardest of oak.
17. Give me some book that would help me know
How folks live in the land where your reindeers
18. Give me some furs, or couldn't you steal
A sack from the back of some wandering seal ?
19. Give me a dress so strong I can wear
It skating or sliding, and not have it tear.
20. Give me an arithmetic, pencil and slate.
21. Give me a fish-pole, with ready-made bait.
SANTA GLAUS.
(Who has been busy during the speaking with his
pencil and paper.)
I can't quite promise my children dear
To fill out the list I've written here,
But I'll do the best that ever I can
For every woman and child and man.
But I'll tell you a secret — (don't say that I can't) —
By which you may always have just what you want.
Listen with care while I tell the rule,
16 THE OLD YEAR AND THE XEW.
For some clay you'll say, if you're not a fool,
'Tis the best gift old Santa Claus ever gave.
Listen — " Never want what you cannot have."
And now I wish to every one here
A merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
(Santa Claus disappears, and the children resume their
seats.)
If it is desired to add to the merriment of the occa-
sion, the older people in the audience may be furnish-
ed each with a line expressing some wish, reciting
them in rapid succession without leaving their seats,
immediately after the children's wishes. These can
best be provided by some local rhymester who can
adapt them to the characters of the speakers, and well
known incidents of the year.
The following may serve as samples :
I want a tooth that will not ache.
I want a stove that knows how to bake.
I want a purse well filled with gold.
I want a wife that will not scold.
I want a husband that will not fret.
I want a fine black bear for a pet.
I want an organ always in tune.
I would ra-ther like a house in the moon.
WHAT WILL TOU HAVE? 17
I want a school that will always keep still.
I want some boys that work with a will.
I want to be chosen inspector of roads.
I want a garden with thousands of toads.
I want a mill-pond that never runs low.
I want a horse that goes steady and slow.
I want a turkey that don't care to fight.
I want a pistol to shoot cats by night.
I want some rags to make into rugs.
I want potatoes that grow without bugs.
I want a dog with a very loud bark.
I want a lantern to see in the dark.
Bring me, if you please, a four-leafed clover.
And me a sleigh that will not tip over.
Give me common sense, enough and to spare.
So that all these around me the blessing may share.
18 THE OLD TEAR AXD THE XEIV
THE YOUNG GIANT-KILLERS.
To be spoken by a company of boys and girls from
four to twelve or thirteen 3^ears of age. The captain
may be a little oicfer. It is an advantage to have the
company led by a young drummer, and trained to
perform some simple military movements, at the word
of the captain, as they enter the house, and arrange
themselves on the platform.
Number of speakers from lo to 27.
The boys should come first, each carrying an appro-
priate emblem ; the girls next, each with a banner in-
scribed with a word indicating her weapon.
CAPTAIN.
There are giants in Greenville,* stout and tall,
Giants that jump and giants that crawl.
Giants that shoot and giants that bite,
Giants that sneak away 'round out of sight.
And now these giants, one and all.
We giant-killers mean to drive to the wall,
To drive to the wall and kill them quite,
And we want you to help us in the fight.
* If the name of the town in which the "Giant-killers" are to operate
cannot be inserted in place of " Greenville," substitute the words "around us."
THE YOUNG GIANT-KILLERS. 19
DRUMMER.
I think with my drum I can make enough noise
To drive giant "DuHness " away from us boys.
First Boy. {Emhle7n, a Rake.)
This is my gun, with shovel and rake
I'll make the old giant Laziness shake.
Second Boy. (A lo7ig stick to which pen and paper are
attached?)
With pen, ink and paper accounts I'll keep straight,
For that kind of thing giant Cheating does hate.
Third Boy. {A Hoe)
A very strong grip has the giant of Debt,
But I'll hoe my own row, and conquer him yet.
Fourth Boy. (A Mission-box?)
This is my mission-box, with it I'll fight.
To keep giant Selfishness clear out of sight.
Fifth Boy. {Slate and pencil?)
These sums are my giants ; they fight with a will,
But my good slate and pencil shall conquer them still,
Sixth Boy. (A Hatchet?)
I'll split up a cord of good kindlings, all told,
For in winter 'twill help to keep off giant Cold.
Seventh Boy. {A Watch.)
This is the gun that I fire just right,
To keep giant Tardiness clear out of sight.
20 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE yE]V.
Eighth Boy. {A Greenback?)
With my greenbacks I'll fight, for myself and the poor,
To keep giant Hunger away from the door.
Ninth Boy. {A Violin^
Old giant Discord makes a great din,
Eut I'll drive him away with my violin.
Te7tth Boy. (A glass of Water.)
You see, my friends, I've come
To fight big giant Rum.
Eleventh Boy. {A Whistle:)
I'll whistle and try
To keep off giant 0'_y.
First Girl. {Motto, Love.)
With love in my heart, I hope to kill
The giants Hatred, Spite and ///- Will.
Second Girl. {Truth.)
The giant of Lies is strong and wise,
But with Truth for my motto, I'll fight till he dies.
Third Girl. {Faith.)
Faith is my weapon, and with it I dare
To fight with the giants of Doubt and Despair.
Fourth Girl. {Perseverance?)
Music scales are my giants, but I'll persevere,
Till they turn into friends, my dull hours to cheer.
THE YOUNG GIANT- KILLERS. 21
Fifth Girl. {Firm?iess^
Two obstinate giants, I wo7it and I will,
Firmness clianges to friends, other giants to kill.
Sixth Gij'l. {Humility.)
The giant I'm fighting is old giant Pride,
With the Envy and Malice that stand by his side.
Seventh Girl. ( Watchfulness^
A dangerous giant is giant Don' t Care,
But I'll fight him with thinking and watching and
prayer.
Eighth Girl. (Politeness^
I'll remember my " Please " and my "Thank you " to
say.
That makes giant Jmpicdence hurry away.
Ninth Girl. {Try, Try Again?)
A first rate gun is the motto " I'll try,"
When I want the giant I can't to die.
Tenth Gi?d. {Good-natured)
A terrible giant is old giant F?'et,
But steady good-nature will conquer him yet.
Eleve?tth Girl. {Kindness.)
Old giant Gossip kills many a man.
But with kind words I'll light him wherever I can.
Twelfth Girl. {Kisses.)
There's an ugly old giant they call giant Po7it,
But a kiss and a smile will soon clear him out.
22 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Thirteenth Girl (A, B, C.)
This is my gun ; this A, B, C,
Will keep giant Know-Nothing off from me.
Fourteenth Girl. {Do Right,)
I can't count the giants that I've got to fight,
But the best gun to kill them is, "Always do right."
The order of these parts may be changed at pleas-
ure.
THE STOEY OF SEVEN DOLLARS.
(For seven speakers or less. Boys and girls, or boys
alone.)
I.
My dollar shall go for cigars and wine,
With a night at the circus. I know what you'll say :
"The heathen " — I tell you no dollars of mine
Shall be wasted on people so far away.
2.
My dollar — perhaps it will buy a new cane,
Perhaps make my next suit of clothing more fine.
At least boys, I think, when you see me again,
Vou'U say, " How I wish that his outfit was mine."
3-
My dollar I'll add to my share in the bank,
I choose to plant seeds where they're likely to grow,
THE STORY OF SEVEN DOLLARS. 23
If you throw away yours, yourselves you may thank
That you're poor, while I have my thousands to show.
4.
For peanuts and candy my dollar shall go.
I'll buy cheap and sell dear, I will not eat one.
With sharp bargains my dollar to dozens shall grow,
Great merchants have often in small ways begun.
5-
I shall bury my dollar under the ground,
And mark the spot ; I shall bury it deep.
I may not gain much, but at least I have found
A bank that is sure my money to keep.
6.
In books, pens and paper, I think you will find
My money a wiser investment shall gain,
And defaulters and burglars are never inclined *
To try for the dollars laid up in the brain.
7-
What to do with f/iy dollar I'm sure I don't know;
Banks fail ; so do brains. I could not secure
That in either my dollar to thousands would grow ;
I think I'll look out for investments more sure.
With a remark from the Superintendent that " We
may hear from these dollars again soon," the speak-
ers withdraw. After an interval filled with appropri-
ate music, they are recalled and report.
I.
The circus belongs to the past.
The cigars, they vanished in smoke,
24 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
The wine took more dollars till at last
Both bottle and habit I broke.
And nothing I've gained for my dollar as yet,
Eut a headache, some very queer thoughts, and a debt.
I liked my new clothing, O yes !
But the moths like fine clothing as w^ell
As do we ; so perhaps you can guess
What it was my new outfit befell.
But I think that next time I've a dollar to show,
I shall look for some place where the moths do not go.
3-
My dollar is now
A dollar and five.
And I think you'll allow
That if I should live
Fourteen years, and the men at the bank should prove
■ true.
My dollar by that time will grow into two.
4-
My candy and peanuts I bought,
My candy and peanuts I sold,
And I really believe that I ought
To be worth full five dollars in gold.
And I should, were it not that my customers grew,
While they watched my proceedings, quite business-
like too
5-
The dollar I buried away
In the bank, scarce a rod from our door,
I dug out again yesterday.
THE STORY OF SEVEN' DOLLARS. 25
One dollar, no less and no more.
'Twas all right, I suppose, though I really can't tell
Why a pebble might not serve my purpose as well.
6.
My books have made me know
Of countries so strange and grand,
I'm sure when I older grow
I shall travel through every land.
Then I'll tell their stories, and men shall be
Glad to buy books that are written by me.
7-
Your cigars have vanished away,
You never will see them again ;
And you will grow old and grey
Ere your dollar shall grow into ten.
Your books have brought more, yet I hear a voice say,
"If there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
In those lands where you're planning to go,
There are w^omen and children and men
Who'd have loved you a century ago,
They'd have loved you, a/id eaten you then.
By thousands and thousands in those lands far away.
They are gathered in schools and in churches to-day.
There is many an innocent child,
Widowed, younger than you or than me.
Who never again could have smiled
But for dollars sent over the sea.
And somewhere I know in that marvellous ground
My dollar is growing and will some day be found.
And I think by and by, when we stand
In the city with pavement of gold,
26 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
And the people from every land
Their wonderful story unfold,
And we reckon the gain of our dollars, you'll say,
'Tis yours, not mine, that are " so far away^
SEEDS AND PENNIES.
(For two or three speakers.)
\st.
What shall I do with the seeds I have found,
Keep them for playthings, or lay them away ?
2d.
Scatter them, sister, over the ground.
Beautiful flowers you'll find some day.
What shall I do with my pennies bright,
Keep them, or spend them for candy and toys ?
2d. (^Holding out a contributio7i-ho^?)
No, plant them ; they'll spring up when God gives the
light,
And the blossoms they bear will be good girls and boys.
{Pennies are dropped in box.)
In adapting to two speakers, give ist and 3d to the
same person.
THE BEST LESS OX. 27
TEE BEST LESSON,
(For twenty speakers or less.)
isf Speaker.
From God's own book we have learned the story,
How Jesus came down from heaven to call
Sinners like us to His home in glory.
Tell me, which lesson is best of all ?
2.
O, the story that best / love to hear,
Tells how the babe in the manger lay.
And how to the shepherds the angels came near,
Singing songs of peace, on that Christmas day,
3-
But / love to hear of the w^onderful star
That came to tell of the new-born king,
How the wise men followed it from afar,
Each with his costly offering.
4-
The lesson that most of all I love.
Tells of the voice that spake from heaven,
"Thou art my Son," and the holy dove,
That from God's own hand as a sign was given.
5-
I would rather read how Jesus saw
The fishers casting their nets in the sea,
And promised them, " Sometime you shall draw
Men like fishes. Come, follow^ me."
28 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
6.
I M^ould choose the one where the leper knelt,
And prayed, " If thou wilt thou canst make me
clean."
As I studied that lesson of love, I felt
That Jesus could wash my soul from sin.
7-
Yes, but I better love to tell
How the hand that withered and worthless lay,
Christ by a single word made well.
Well on the holy Sabbath day.
But better still I love to hear
How on the sea, that stormy night.
The sailors were filled with deadly fear.
And Christ said, " Peace," and all was right.
9-
But a fiercer, deadlier tempest beat
In the demon-haunted maniac's soul,
Till he cast himself at the Savior's feet.
And a word from Jesus made him whole.
lO.
But I think the sweetest story of all
Tells of the little girl who lay
Dead, till she heard the Savior call.
Then the soul came back to the lifeless clay.
II.
But best of all I like the one
That tells how, hearing the words he said,
THE BEST LESSON, 29
They forgot their food till set of sun,
And Jesus the hungry thousands fed.
12.
/ would like on the wonderful mount to stand,
Where disciples the Christ transfigured saw,
And their lips were sealed by the Lord's command,
But their hearts were tilled with loving awe.
13-
But / love to read the stories he told ;
Of the father welcoming home his boy ;
Of the sheep that wandered away from the fold,
And the shepherd that brought it home with joy,
14.
And I love to read how the farmer strewed
His seed among thorns and on stony land,
But alone when on good soil he sowed
Came a hundred fold to the reaper's hand.
15-
But the children's chapter is dearest of all,
How he took the little ones on his knee
And blessed them ; and still we may hear his call,
" Suffer little children to come unto me."
16.
But I think there is none of them all so sweet.
As the one that tells how the mother's prayer
For scattered crumbs that the dogs might eat,
Was answered with more than a daughter's share.
But I love to read how Bartimeus cried,
" Jesus, Master, have mercy on me."
30 TEE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
And how gently the Savior turned aside
From the crowd to let the blind man see.
I love to read how the Savior rode
Into the city, its Lord and King,
How the children sang, and the people strewed
Branches and garments for offering.
19.
Most precious of all that is written there,
To me, is the single word " Forgive,"
That fell from his lips, a dying prayer
That through his death might his murderers live.
20.
And to know how the cross and the' crown of thorns
Gladly for 7fs the Savior bore.
And how on that glorious Easter morn
O'er death and the grave he rose conqueror.
isf Speaker.
Yes, every lesson is best of all.
There is not one of the list I could spare.
God grant we may hear the Savior's call
To his home above, and learn of him there.
This exercise may be used as a review after any
quarter's study in the gospels, by omitting stanzas
referring to topics not contained in the quarter's les-
sons.
WHAT SHOULD A LITTLE BOY BE— THE PEXNIES. 31
WHAT SHOULD A LITTLE BOY Mt
(For two, three or four speakers.)
1. What should a little boy be ?
2. Loving and gentle and kind ;
Ready bad counsels to flee,
Ready good counsels to mind.
This should a little boy be.
I or 3. Whom should a little boy love ?
2. Parents and sisters, and all ;
But chiefly the Father above,
Who hears when the little ones call;
Him should a little boy love.
I or 4. What should a little boy do ?
2. In study, in work or in play.
Do the thing that is honest and true,
And the Heavenly Father obey ;
This should a little boy do.
THE PENNIES.
(For one or two speakers.)
I.
Take care of the pennies,
My boy, and you'll find
That, made up from pennies,
You'll have dollars to mind.
32 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
2.
Spend wisely the pennies
For Him wliom we love,
And so lay up treasure
In Heaven above.
THE ALPHABET CLASS.
Distribute the letters with their accompanying
maxims among the scholars scattered through the
room. Then let Superintendent or teacher slowly
call the alphabet, each scholar responding to his
letter, the leader supplying vacancies.
A.
Attend carefully to the details of your business.
B.
Be prompt in all things.
C.
Consider well, then decide positively.
D.
Dare to do right. Fear to do wrong.
E.
Endure trials patiently.
F.
Fight life's battle bravely, manfully.
THE ALPHABET CLASS. 33
G.
Go not into the society of the vicious.
H.
Hold integrity sacred.
I.
Injure not another's reputation or business.
J.
Join hands only with the virtuous.
K.
Keep your mind from evil thoughts.
L.
Lie not for any consideration.
M.
Make careful choice of acquaintances.
N.
Never try to appear what you are not.
O.
Observe good manners.
P.
Pay your debts promptly.
Q.
Question not the veracity of a friend.
R.
Respect the counsel of your parents.
S.
Sacrifice money rather than principle.
34 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
T.
Touch not, taste not, handle not intoxicating drinks.
U.
Use your leisure time for improvement.
V.
Venture not upon the threshold of wrong.
W.
Watch carefully over your passions.
X.
Extend to every one a kindly salutation.
Y.
Yield not to discouragements.
Z.
Zealously labor for the right.
&.
And success is yours.*
THE FIVE WISHES.
Katie (throwing down a book upon her lap).
Think, think, think.
The lessons are long, and hard, and dry;
Sometimes, when mother isn't by,
My eyes begin to wink
* Baron Rothschild had the above maxims framed and hung up in his
banking-house.
THE FIVE WISHES. 35
And I go to sleep. It seems really wronoj
To spend so much time on these lessons long.
O, I wish that I were already wise,
That I knew the maps of the earth and skies,
Grammar, Philosophy, Algebra,
Latin too, and a little Greek,
And French to read and write and speak;
O then I might throw my books away,
And then I could teach other people too.
And O the good that I could do.
Jennie (letting her sewing fall from her hands).
Work, work, work.
Katie, I'm tired as I can be.
And I think, if you were much like mc,
You would not want to shirk
Your lessons and be already wise.
You would rather have what money buys,
Cloaks and dresses already made.
New ones as soon as the old ones fade,
No sewing or knitting through all the year.
Horses for father, a gun for Will,
Playthings and pictures for little Mill ;
A house, well furnished, for mother dear.
O, I'd rather have money than all your fame,
Or anything else that you can name ;
And I'll give to the poor and needy too,
So / could do good as well as you.
Susie (with a roll of sheet music).
Girls, when I hear you tell
Your wishes, I think if you only knew
What 'tis to practice from twelve till two
Every day, you'd think it well
That I wish that I had already learned
36 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
All the notes and scales, had already turned
All the exercise leaves, and could move my hands
At pleasure, wherever the book commands.
I love to hear teacher sing and play ;
It seems to carry my soul away
To better things. O, I hate this drill ;
But if I were blest with a master's skill
I think I could charm mother's headaches away,
And father I know would be oftener gay.
Now Fannie and Mary — your wishes, and then
I suppose we must go to our work again,
Fannie (dressed in mourning).
O girls, were I like you
I might think your wishes wisest and best ;
But since my mother her cold lips pressed
On her child's, I never knew
Father or mother or sister's love.
O, if my wishes could but remove
Mother or father from out the grave,
I'd study, or work like a very slave,
Or thrum and drill from morning till night,
I know God did it — it must be right
But Mary, do you not think with me,
That to lay your head upon mother's knee,
Is the dearest wish that can ever be told.
Is better than learning, or music, or gold ?
Mary.
Sisters, I want them all
Parents and wisdom, and music, and gold,
And a Friend, the dearest of all, has told
That if we will but call
On Him, He will give them ; Jesus says,
WHICH TREE WILL YOV CHOOSE. 37
If we love Him God will our Father be,
And He our brother, and we shall see
Wealth and wisdom and every grace
In Him, and we shall have a place
Where heavenly music fills the air.
0 sisters, I wisk to enter there.
May a holy heart to me be given,
A heart to fit me for earth or heaven.
Katie.
Mary hath chosen the better part.
Jennie.
Nothing is old when the heart is new.
Susie.
1 too would be holy and pure in heart.
Fannie.
And Mary's wish shall be mine too.
WHICH TEEE WILL YOU CHOOSE?
isf speaker.
(The oldest in the class.)
Come, children, gather and tell to me
Which do you think is the prettiest tree ?
Which is the one you would like to be .''
38 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Oak.
/ think the oak, so stately and tall,
With a century's growth, is the fairest of all ;
It bids us keep growing whatever befall.
Pine.
The pine is my tree, for bright and green
Its branches all summer and winter are seen.
"Be true through all seasons," I think that they
mean.
Palm.
I'd be a palm tree. No care it receives.
But building wood, food and clothing it gives,
Every part is a blessing, fruit, timber and leaves.
Orange.
I'd be an orange tree, away from the snows,
With flowers as fragrant and fair as the rose,
And the juiciest fruit that anywhere grows.
White Birch,
I'd be a white birch in some beautiful park.
Or wild in the forest ; but on my bark
Only good children should make their mark.
Cherry.
I'm a cherry tree ; I'll blossom in spring,
And then, first of all, my ripe fruit I will bring,
Saying, " Let us be early in every good thing."
Maple. >
No tree for me can the maple beat,
WHICH TREE WILL TOU CHOOSE? 39
For maple sugar is good to eat ;
I wish that I could be half as sweet.
Walnut.
I'd be a hickory ; then I'd say,
Don't get mad at a little rough play,
But when shaken or beaten give nuts for pay.
Black Birch.
I'd be a black birch, with bark all along
My twigs for good people, but those who do wrong
Should find that my whips can be limber and strong.
Ash.
I'll be an ash tree, and then you may
From my wood make a carriage, a hand-sled or
sleigh,
And the boys shall ride out with me every day.
Fig.
I'd be a fig tree, that will not spend
All its fruit at home, but loves to send
A part away to the very world's end.
Chestnut.
I'll be a chestnut, and if you try
To steal fruit, my prickles shall make you cry,
But I'll open and give it by and by.
Apple.
I'd like to be
An apple tree-;
With my fruit all free.
^0 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Christmas-Tree.
The tree I like best is the Christmas-tree,
With candy and playthings hung there for me.
/;/ Co?icerf.
It tells us of all the kindness and love
Of friends on earth, and One above.
THE TEY COMPANY.
From 8 to 1 6 boys, led (if convenient) by a drum-
mer, the boys wearing soldier's caps and carrying
appropriate emblems, and one, near the centre, carry-
ing a banner with motto, " Try, Try Again."
CORPORAL TRY.
Here am I,
Corporal Try,
And here are a few of my soldiers you see.
Without meaning to boast,
I will say that almost
As useful as ever man was, I can be.
Without me Columbus never had sailed ,
Without me and my motto had Washington failed ;
Nor without me an Erieson's skill had availed.
'Twas " Try, try again," made America free,
And by trying still more, freer yet we shall be.
THE TRY COMPANY. 41
DRUMMER.
I'm trying to be a drummer,
And some day you may see
Me drumming with an army
That fights for Hberty.
ist Boy. {Emble7n^ a Waterwheel.)
I'm trying to make a waterwheel,
You think it's only play,
/ think you'll like to come to me
With all your corn some day.
2d Boy. {Fen and Envelope^
I'm trying to write a letter
To aunt and uncle too ;
Some day I'll write a volume
For critics to review.
-i^d Boy. {A Toy-Ladder^
I'm trying to make a ladder,
I think that I can climb
To be a first-rate carpenter,
And build a house sometime.
\th Boy. {A Gun, or simply the banner^ " Try, Try
Again .''^
I'm trying to fight the giants
Of Ignorance and Sin,
To drive the bad thouo^hts out
And keep the good ones in.
t^th Boy. (A Hatchet)
I'm trying to help my mother,
I shovel off the snow,
44 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
for Mr. Brown. Where this is not admissible, read,
*' Schoolmaster please take care."
In No. 8, if it is a Christmas occasion, read, " this
Christmas " for " the New Year."
In No. 10, substitute the name of your own town
for Greenville, or read,
" Some day I'll drive the engine
Upon the iron rail."
In No. II, for Greenville substitute the name of
your own town, some neighboring one, or the nearest
large city.
HAPPY NEW YEAE.
Fifteen children carrying banners, each banner dis-
playing a letter of the words " Happy New Year,"
except the last which has simply a period.
H is for Heaven, for Hope and for Heart.
A is Hope's Anchor, that never shall part.
P IS for Purity, Patience and Peace.
P is for Prayer that never shall cease.
Y for Young hearts that shall not grow old.
N is a Nail, all good habits to hold.
E is for Exercise, healthful alway.
W is Work, but we'll mix it with play.
WHY DO YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS f 45
Y is the Yoke that is easy and light.
E is for Everything manly and right.
A is Affection, the brightest of chains.
R is the Rest that forever remains.
Last speaker, or all in C07icert.
We'll put these together, and then we have here
What we wish for you all, a Happy New Year.
WHY DO YOU LOVE CHKISTMS?
(Ten speakers or less.)
/ love it because my stockings
Are full of candies and things,
The figs and dolls and goodies
That dear old Santa Claus brings.
2.
/ love it because my grandma
Will make me a Christmas cake,
And lots of pies and cookies,
The best that she can bake.
3-
/ love it because the school-books
Are out of sight all day.
And the children, big and little,
Can spend the hours in play.
44 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
for Mr. Brown. Where this is not admissible, read,
" Schoolmaster please take care."
In No. 8, if it is a Christmas occasion, read, " this
Christmas " for " the New Year."
In No. 10, substitute the name of your own town
for Greenville, or read,
" Some day I'll drive the engine
Upon the iron rail."
In No. II, for Greenville substitute the name of
your own town, some neighboring one, or the nearest
large city.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Fifteen children carrying banners, each banner dis-
playing a letter of the words " Happy New Year,"
except the last which has simply a period.
H is for Heaven, for Hope and for Heart.
A is Hope's Anchor, that never shall part.
P is for Purity, Patience and Peace.
P is for Prayer that never shall cease.
Y for Young hearts that shall not grow old.
N is a Nail, all good habits to hold.
E is for Exercise, healthful alway.
W is Work, but we'll mix it with play.
WHY DO TOU LOVE CHRISTMAS ? 45
Y is the Yoke that is easy and light.
E is for Everything manly and right.
A is Affection, the brightest of chains.
R is the Rest that forever remains.
Zas^ speaker^ or all in concert.
We'll put these together, and then we have here
What we wish for you all, a Happy New Year.
WHY DO YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS?
(Ten speakers or less.)
I.
/ love it because my stockings
Are full of candies and things,
The figs and dolls and goodies
That dear old Santa Claus brings.
2.
/ love it because my grandma
Will make me a Christmas cake,
And lots of pies and cookies,
The best that she can bake.
3-
I love it because the school-books
Are out of sight all day.
And the children, big and little,
Can spend the hours in play.
46 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
4-
/ love it for the presents
That grow on the Christmas tree,
Because somewhere in its branches
I know there is one for me.
5-
I love it because of the parties,
The sleigh-rides, visits and all,
And because my uncle and cousins
Ars sure that day to call.
6.
/ love it because my mother
Will take me up on her knee.
And tell me Christmas stories.
As pretty as they can be.
7-
/ love it because I make presents
To brothers, sisters and friends,
And every one of them for it
A pleasant " thank you " sends.
8.
/ love it because the hungry
And poor are on Christmas fed,
The little ones who so often
Go supperless to bed.
9-
/ love it because, in the evening.
The Sunday School children meet
To sing their Christmas carols,
With music gentle and sweet.
RHYMING RECIPE CLUB. 47
10.
/ love it because it reminds me
How Jesus came from on high,
How sometime, if I love and serve him,
He will take me to him in the sky.
EXAIINATION OP THE RHYIING RECIPE CLUB.
(For 27 speakers or less.)
Leader. — There are few things that cannot be suc-
cessfully accomplished, either in cookery or any of
the necessary arts of life, by a person of average abil-
ity, if only there be given a good recipe at the outset.
Without this the greatest care and the hardest work
end only in failure.
The young misses before us have been for several
months giving their time, and close attention to seek-
ing out the veiy lest ways of doing things, and are
now ready to impart to us the wisdom that results
from their long continued and careful observation.
And first, in the department of cookery, No. i will
tell us how to make a rich, healthful and durable
wedding-cake.
No. I.
Take cheerfulness, gentleness, patience and prayer,
Readiness blessings and burdens to share ;
48 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Hearts joined for God, hearts joined for each other,
Hearts joined to help every sister or brother.
Mix well and bake slowly ; a cake will appear
That will do to keep by you for many a year.
Leader. — The best made cake may be spoiled in
the baking. Perhaps No. 2 can give us some assist-
ance in that department.
No. 2.
If you wish to make
A rich wedding-cake
That won't crumble or break
However you shake,
Be sure' that you take
Two bears, " Bear and Forbear," to watch o'er
the bake.
Leader. — Next to this in importance I think comes
the art of preparing a really good cup of tea. Will
No. 3 inform us how to do it t
No. 3.
Let hones/^^ and proprie/^^,
Sinceri/6'^ and humili/i?^,
Punctuali/6'(2 and activi/^dr,
Magnanimi/<?^ and Q\\2,x\tea
Within your urn be placed ;
Add the milk of human kindness,
And sweeten to your taste.
Leader. — And now will No. 4 tell us how to make
a good meat-pie ?
RHYMIXG RECIPE CLUB.
No. 4.
Take a good heart and plent}^ of pluck ;
Be sure that your crust is tender and thin ;
'Tis a pie in whose baking there's always good luck^
And that never will fail a premium to win.
Leader. — And will No. 5 give us her experience in
regard to turnovers ?
No. 5. ^
From folly to wisdom, contention to peace,
From hatred to love that shall always increase,
Tur7i over, my friend ; you will find that you've made
A turn-over throwing the rest in the shade.
Leader. — And now, No. 6, what are the ingredients
of a first-rate pea-soup ?
No. 6.
Perseverance and patience and practical sense.
Prudence and piety (never pretence),
Peace, purity, practice in every good thing ;
These P's make a pea-soup that's fit for a king.
Leader. — There are some condiments not gener-
ally considered healthful, and yet we usually think of
them in connection with soups and meat-pie. Will
No. 7 show us how to secure pepper at any time }
No. 7.
Praise a man to his rival's face.
Or doubt the value of a lady's lace.
Leader. — And No. 8 will give us a rule for the in-
stantaneous production of vinegar.
50 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
No. 8.
Tarry in the hall
After you call,
And hear what they say of you, that is all.
Leader. — And now may we hear from No. 9, how
to have ice-cream without a freezer ?
^ No. 9.
Adopt a girl who minds every slight.
Two boys always ready to tease and to fight.
To stand up for theit' rights, but not for the right,
And you'll have I screcmi from morning till night.
Leader. — Most people would probably prefer their
ice-cream frozen, I imagine, or at least not quite so
hot, and apropos of this subject, I think No. 10 can
tell us how to instantly reduce the temperature below
the freezing point, without a refrigerator.
No. 10.
Stop the man who talks the most
Of the wonderful charity he can boast,
And gives his neighbors the hardest knocks,
And — pass him a contribution-box.
Leader, — Now No. 11, let us know how to make
good apple-sauce.
No. IT.
Kind words, fitly spoken, are apples of gold ;
With these, as you cook them, love-apples mix well,
With sweetening and spice. Then keep out in the
cold
RHYMING RECIPE CLUB. 51
All who've apples of discord to give or to sell,
And no mortal of apple-sauce finer can tell.
Leader. — Next to good apple-sauce comes good
preserves. Our young friends have a large number of
new and valuable recipes in that line. We will select
a few of them. Will No. 12 tell us how to preserve
pears ?
No. 12.
No matter whether a pair of steers,
A pair of tongs, or of hands or ears,
A pair of eyes, or a pair of glasses,
A pair of scissors, a pair of lasses,
A pair of feet or a pair of shoes,
The way to preserve them is wisely to use.
And never their help to your neighbor refuse.
Leader. — And now, from No. 13 let us learn how
to preserve peace and order in the community.
No. 13.
Salt and pickle and lay away
A dozen tongues or more every day.
Leader. — And just here. No. 14, some of our
friends may like to know Jiow to pickle tongues.
No. 14.
A look of pity for all who sin.
For all who labor a glad God-speed,
A smile when the tempted their victory win,
These put evil tongues in 2i pickle indeed.
52 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE NEW.
Leader. — And now, No. 15, tell us how to prese?-ve
a friend.
No. 15.
If you want that your friend should be always your
friend,
Don't borrow his money, your own do not lend,
Unless he can earn as fast as he'll spend.
Don't ask for his secrets, don't tell him your own ;
Be true, and then trust him, and soon you'll have
shown
That a friend, well preserved, is the choicest thing
known.
Leader. — Apropos of preserves, it may be the time
for No. 16 to give directions for making a lasting
family jar.
No. 16.
A pout and a scowl — an inquisitive stare —
"I will" and "I won't," "You shall" and "Don't
care,"
" Remember I told you," " O nonsense," " So there,"
"I'm quite ashamed of you," "I'll go tell my ma,"
These materials cemented well, warranted are
To make a strong, permanent family jar.
Leader. — Our young friends have a number of
ether recipes, like this last, not quite in the depart-
ment of cookery ; some of them are medical, some
miscellaneous. Of the former class, as they expect
ultimately to issue a volume that will take its place
among the standard works on medicine, they will give
RHYMIXG RECIPE CLUB. 53
US a very few specimens. Will No. 17 give us a cure
for dyspepsia ?
A^o. 17.
A few grains of fun to an ounce of good will
Make an excellent anti-dyspeptic pill.
Leader. — No. 18, a prescription for heart-burn.
No. 18.
Two grains of common sense, and then if you're not
Quite cured, why next time try a good, hot,
Strong mitten, applied directly to the spot.
Leader. — Blues result from many causes, but for
one of the most common kind No. 19 will give us a
safe and speedy cure.
No. 19.
If you, my friend, are down with the blues,
Because you have not the best shoes for your feet,
Work next to a man with no feet for his shoes,
And — well, the cure will be complete.
Leader. — Few things are more frequently prescribed
than a sea-voyage, and nothing else probably is rec-
ommended in so many widely different cases, but very
much depends upon the nature of the sea whose
waters you sail. Will No. 20 give us some practical
advice that will enable us to make a wise selection .'*
No. 20.
OE contuma-sea, aristocra-sea,
And falla-sea beware ;
54 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Sail the waters of intima-sea
And expedien-sea with care,
So brilUan-sea and fluen-sea,
Lest to idio-sea they lead ;
- But on mer-sea and constan-sea
Give your good ship full speed.
Leader. — This closes our medical prescriptions.
Our miscellaneous ones touch nearly every class of
topics on which the human mind can desire informa-
tion. We will give you single specimens from a very
few of these classes. Will No. 21 tell us how to
keep hens from setting-?
No. 21.
Take from the nest, scald, pluck and dry,
And put them into a chicken pie.
Leader. — And No. 22, how to kill potato-bugs.
No. 22.
With tvv^o stones and a pan of live coals you can kill
The largest potato-bug found in the hill.
Leader. — We have similar prompt methods for
overcoming other difficulties in the way of the farmer
and housekeeper. There are some however that re-
ally cannot be overcome. As a specimen of the best
method of dealing with those, No. 23 will tell us what
to do when it rains.
No. 23.
Why do as they do in Spain,
And that is — let it rain.
RHTMiyG RECIPE CLUB.
Leader. — The club has engaged successfully in
many kinds of manufacturing. Let us hear from No.
24, how a first-class editor is made.
No. 24.
A ton of patience, a bottle of ink,
A hand to copy, a brain to think,
Eyes that at all shortcomings can wink.
Conscience, energy, industry, care.
Good temper, all manner of trials to bear;
Bottle, shake well, cork close from the air.
From souring or drying preserve carefully.
From all that would stain it the mixture keep free.
It will make the editor you should be.
Leader. — Our club can give equally serviceable
directions to any who wish to engage in the manufac-
ture of merchants, lawyers or physicians, but we pass
these by, and ask No. 25 to tell us all how we may
secure a permanent home at the public expense.
No. 25.
As fast as you earn a dollar, spend it ;
Borrow one from whoe'er will lend it ;
Charge two days' wages for one day's work,
And the rest of your obligations shirk.
Leader. — As there may be a number here who do
not desire a home of that sort, but do very earnestly
desire to know how they may be sure to " keep the
wolf from the door," will No. 26 tell us how to make
a good wolf-bar ?
56 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
No. 26.
Drop tobacco and whiskey, late suppers and beer,
Take a snug little cottage, with the one that's most
dear,
Let economy, patience no troubles can tire.
And industry, weld in affection's bright fire ;
You will find (try it now if you've never before)
The best bar to keep every wolf from the door.
Boys and girls may both be included in the club,
by giving the cookery recipes to the latter and the
medical and miscellaneous to the former. Should all
be girls, and the number fifteen or less, the cookery
recipes would be sufficient, and the name of the organ-
ization changed from " Recipe " to " Cookery " club.
Should there be not more than seven or eight in the
club, the recipes should be re-numbered, and two,
three or more given to each member.
DAILY BREAD.
1 What is the use of praying
To God for daily bread }
Our father earns our living,
And he will see us fed.
2 And why should we ask Jesus
That he would keep us well,
Would guide and bless and help us ?
I'm sure I cannot tell.
IXFAXT CLASS EXERCISE. 57
3 Listen, and I will tell you
The reason why we pray ♦
That God would feed and clothe us,
And help us every day.
'Tis He who gave us father,
Who makes him kind and good,
And strong and wise, and willing
To earn our daily food.
And if we truly love him,
He'll take us when we die
To dwell among the angels
In his own home on high.
I, 2 or 3 Then let us always thank him.
His blessing let us seek,
Since God will surely listen
To hear us when we speak.
The last four lines may be repeated by i and 2 in
concert.
INFANT CLASS EXEECISE.
(Designed especially as a review of studies in the
earlier part of Matthew.)
Introductio7i by a very little girl.
Listen, dear friends, while we try to tell
Of Him who has loved us so long and so well ;
Because that He loved us this offering we bring,
From the lessons we've learned of our Savior and King,
58 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW
(Questions by one of the younger boys ; answers by
class in concert.)
Q. Where was Jesus born ?
A. In Bethlehem.
Q. Who was his mother ?
A. Mary.
Q. Who was called nis father ?
A. Joseph.
Q. Who was his Father ?
A. God.
Q. Who came to tell of his birth .?
A. Angels.
Q. Who came to bring him presents ?
A. Wise men from the east.
Q. What guided them ?
A. A star.
Recitation — " The Evenmg Star.^''
Bright little star on Evening's breast,
How beams thy golden light,
But fast thou'rt sinking in the west ;
Dear little star, " Good night."
And I, when I have bent my knee
And said my evening prayer
To Him who made both thee and me,
Will to my rest repair.
Still thinking on that brighter star
That once on Bethlehem rose,
And Eastern sages led from far —
I'll sink to sweet repose.
INFANT CLASS EXERCISE, 59
And O, when I at last shall lie
In Death's cold slumbers down,
May then my spirit shine on high,
A star in Jesus' crown.
— Mrs. H. C. Conant
Q. "V\/ho tried to kill Jesus ?
A. Herod.
Q. Where did his parents carry him ?
A. To Egypt.
Q. Where next ?
A. To Nazareth.
Q. How old was Jesus when he talked with the
doctors in the temple ?
A. Twelve years old.
Q. How old was he when he was baptized ?
A. About thirty years old.
<2. What happened next ?
A. He was tempted by Satan.
Q. What after that ?
A. He went about doing good.
(2, What should this teach us ?
A. To do good too.
Recitation by an older scholar.
Death worketh,
Let me work too ;
Death undoeth,
Let me do.
Busy as death, my work I ply,
Tilfl rest in the rest of eternity.
60 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Sin worketh,
Let me work too ;
Sin undoeth,
Let me do.
Busy as sin, my work I ply,
Till I rest in the rest of eternity.
Christ worketh,
Let me work too ;
As he doeth
So let me do.
Busy, like him, my work I pl}^.
Till I rest in the rest of eternity.
Q. What did Jesus do to the lame ?
A. Made them walk.
Q. What did he do to the blind ?
A. Made them see.
Q. What did he do to the dumb ?
A. Made them speak.
Q. What did he do to the deaf ?
A. Made them hear. ^
Q. What did he do to the sick ?
A. Made them well.
Q. What did he do to the demons ?
A. Cast them out.
Q. What did he do to sinners .''
A. Forgave their sins,
Q. What did he do to little children ?
A. Took them up in his arms and blessed them.
IXFAXT CLASS EXERCISE, 61
Dialogue.
(Questions by a little girl ; answers by the class in
concert, or one of its younger members.)
Q. What did our Lord and Savior say,
When others wished to drive us away ?
A. Suffer little children to come unto me,
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Q. What did he say, who from above
Came down to teach us kindness and love .'*
A. Suffer little children to come unto me.
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Q. What were the words of him who bled,
Nailed to the cross, with thorns on his head ?
A. Suffer little children to come unto me.
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Q. Wliat did he say whose spirit shed
Hope to the living, life to the dead ?
A. Suffer little children to come unto me,
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Q. If on his mercy we rely,
What will his words be when we die ?
A. Suffer little children to come unto me,'
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
(Questions by another member of the class ; answers
by class, or one division of it, in concert.)
Q. Whom did Jesus first call to be his disciples ?
A. Simon and Andrew, James and John.
Q. What were they doing .?
62 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE NEW.
A. Fishing.
Q. What did he promise to make them ?
A. Fishers of men.
Q. What did he teach them to do ?
A. He taught them to pray.
Q. How ?
A. '• Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be done on
earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil."
Q. What did he say those who heard his words
were like ?
A. Recitation by one of the class, of Matthew 6 :
24-27.
Singing — " O if my house is built upon the rock," or
" On Christ the solid Rock I stand."
BIBLE CLASS CONCERT EXERCISE. 63
BIBLE CLASS CONCERT EXERCISE.
THE CHARACTER OF MOSES.
(Especially adapted to a concert review after the
study of the Pentateuch, or introductory to the
study of Joshua.)
Teacher, and 14 or less members of her class, the
latter dressed so as by emblems or letters to indicate
the various virtues, and their opposites.
Teacher. — We have studied this wonderful man as
a whole, but as the sun's light is made up of many
rays, so every true character derives its brightness
from the blending of many virtues. Let us see now,
how this almost perfect character was formed. First
then, Truth, what was your work in forming the char-
acter of Moses ?
Truth, — Through all the forty years he spent in
Pharaoh's court, I kept him from idols and held him
to the worship of Jehovah. I guided his mother's
lips while she told him of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of the promises God had made to his fathers. I
led him, in all the haste of that last night in Egypt,
to remember the bones of Joseph. I guided the
thought of his father-in-law, Jethro, when he urged
his son to choose for rulers only those who " feared
64 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE XEW.
God and were men of truth." And in later years, on
Sinai, I wrote in his heart the law God had graven
on the stone tables ; and when, on the plain between
Paran and Tophel and Laban, he spoke his last fare-
well, through me he gave warnings and promises that
guided the people, through obedience to victory.
Teacher. — "Therefore love the truth." And Jus-
tice, what share had you in this work ?
Justice. — I led Moses to choose the side of his
people, a race of slaves, against Pharaoh, though the
choice drove him from his palace home to the sheep-
folds of iMidian. I nerved him to speak the word
which brought locusts, and hail, and pestilence upon
Egypt, which changed her water to blood, laid waste
her fields till not one green thing was to be found in
them, and at last slew the first-born in every house. I
prompted the song of jNIoses and of Miriam when the
Red Sea covered Pharaoh's army. I spoke through
him when the earth opened and swallowed Korah,
Dathan and Abiram. At my word fiery serpents
came among the Israelites. And through all the forty
years in the wilderness I so guided his mind that, in
the thousand cases brought to him for trial, he never
gave a false decision. And when the hour of death
came, and he vras allowed to look upon, but not to
enter the promised land, I led him to rejoice even in
that.
BIBLE CLASS CONCERT EXERCISE. 65
Teacher. — "The path of the just is as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day." Mercy, you went hand in hand with Justice
through all those years. What did you ?
Mercy. — During those terrible weeks of the great
plagues, I watched day and night for the first word,
from Pharaoh that should make it right to stay the hand
of justice. I whispered to iNloses the prayer that stopped
the murrain and the hail, that dispelled the darkness
and the pestilence ; I hardened Pharaoh's heart, that
his sin and punishment might be something the less.
That was all he would let me do for him, but there
were those who did hear our warnings and entreaties,
so that there came up out of Egypt with the Israelites,
a great, mixed multitude whom we had led. Justice
taking one hand and I the other, till they were follow-
ers of the true God. It was Mercy, the divine mercy,
that inspired the sacrifices for sin. It was mercy in
Moses' heart that, when the people reviled him and
were punished for it, pleaded with God, " Pardon, I
beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, according to
the greatness of thy mercy, as thou hast forgiven this
people, from Eg3q3t even until now."
Teacher. — " Mercy and Truth have met together ;
Righteousness and Peace- have kissed each other."
And Patience, you too have a story to tell. Let us
hear it.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW
Patic7ice. — I know little of Moses' earlier life.
During his forty years stay in Midian he first learned
of me. There I told him the story of Job. There I
trained the hand that had slain the Egyptian to hold
quietly the shepherd's staff. When the people mur-
mured for water or for food ; when they cursed him
for rescuing them from slavery ; when they rebelled
against his law ; when they refused to enter the
promised land, and he was forced to wander with
them forty years and die without entering Canaan, I
so controlled his fiery nature that he spoke no word
of complaint, but rejoiced to suffer for God and with
his people.
— Teache7'. — '' Let us run with patience the race set
before us." But patience too has its other side. The
zeal that slew the Egyptian was converted, not de-
stroyed. Tell us then, holy Earnestness, how did you
aid the great prophet in his work ?
Earnestness. — From his mother's arms to the grave
on Nebo, I never for one moment left him. Not only
when he fought with Amalek, or when, filled with
wrath as he saw the people turned from God to wor-
ship a golden calf, he dashed the tables of stone to
the ground, but through every step of the weary way,
I inspired him. If my work was less distinct than
that of the others, it is because I aided all. His very
patience was an earnest patience, his mercy earnest
BIBLE CLASS COXCERT EXERCISE. 67
mercy. His justice and truth were full of zeal. His
faith sprang from a soul full and running over with
enthusiasm, and his hope and love were always glow-
ing.
Teacher. — " He was clad with zeal, as with a cloak."
Faith, Hope and Love- are ready to tell their stor3^
But I see others here who were not less busy with
Moses through his lifetime, though they seem less
eager to speak of their success. Policy, were not
you one 1
Folicy. — Call me Prudence if you please. If Moses
had followed my advice he would have lived and died
in Pharaoh's palace. I said, " Stay, and grow up like
Joseph, prime minister to the king. Then you can
help your people without suffering yourself." If he
had listened to me he would have been saved those
forty dull, stupid years in the sheepfolds of Midian,
and those forty troublesome ones in the wilderness.
But he despised me, and I gave my strength to Pha-
raoh. Years before I had whispered to that great
monarch, " Come on, let us deal wisely with this peo-
ple lest they multiply, and it come to pass that when
there falleth out any war they join also our enemies,
and fight against us, and so get them out of the land,
and he heard me and set over them task-masters to
afflict them with burdens, and they built for him treas-
ure-cities." He obeyed me then, and through all his
life. There are traces of his cities even now.
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Teacher. — But he perished. " There are many
devices in a man's heart, nevertheless the counsel of
the Lord that shall stand." Pride, Ambition, Envy,
you too were among those who fought for the soul of
Moses.
Fride. — Hand in hand we led him into Pharaoh's
palace. Through all his boyhood I told him how
grand a thing it was to be called the son of Pha-
raoh's daughter, and later reminded him how unfit it
was that one learned in all Egyptian wisdom should
make companions of a race of ignorant slaves, but
he forsook me. I stayed in the palace with Pharaoh.
I helped build the pyramids. Thousands of lives
they cost, but they were worth it. And then when
Moses came back from Midian, and Pharaoh was
tempted to hearken to him, I asked him, " Who is
Jehovah, that you should obey his voice and let the
people go ? " Say instead to the task-masters, " Ye
shall no more give the people straw to make brick as
heretofore," and he heard me. And though, after
that, he more than once forsook me, frightened by the
words or the miracles of Moses, / stayed by him to
the last.
Teacher. — Pride goeth before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall." And now. Ambition.
Ambition. — I too lived in the palace, and showed
Moses all the glory of the kingdom, and promised
BIBLE CLASS COX CERT EXERCISE. 69
him the second place there, if he would follow me.
He refused. Once, after that, I spoke to him, " Let
God destroy this people and make of thee a great
nation," but he answered, " O Lord, if thou canst,
save this people, but if not blot me I pray thee out of
thy book."
I saw I was talking to the wind, and I left him to
his folly. But when I whispered to Nadab and Abihu,
on the great day when the tabernacle was dedicated,
" You should be conspicuous on a day like this," they
seized the censers and filled them with strange fire
and rushed before the altar. So there were those who
heard me.
Teaeher. — ''And there w^ent out fire from the Lord
and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."
Envy.
E7ivy. — I never spoke directly to Moses after he
left Pharaoh's palace, until the very last. Once
through Joshua I approached him. It was when El-
dad and Medad were prophesying and I bade Joshua
" Run and say, ' My Lord Moses, forbid them,' " but
Moses recognized me and answered only, " Enviest
thou for my sake ? I would that all the Lord's people
were prophets." But at the last, after Impatience had
led him to smite the rock, and he knew that he was
never to lead the people into the promised land, I
whispered, " You are less to blame than they. Leave
rO THE OLD YEAR AXD THE XEJV.
them alone and they will destroy themselves." He
did not hear me, but instead I heard him pray, "Let
the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man
over the congregation, who may go in and out before
them, and lead them out and bring them in ; that the
congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have
no shepherd." I doubt if he even knew I had spoken.
But there was once that Miriam and Aaron heard and
obeyed my voice, when they said, " Hath the Lord
spoken only by Moses 1 Hath he not also spoken by
us .'' " And Korah, Dathan and Abiram had heard it
before they said to Moses and Aaron, "Ye take too
much upon you. Wherefore lift ye up yourselves
above the congregation of the Lord .'' "
Teacher. — " And the earth opened her mouth and
swallowed them up." Impatience, Envy has partly
told your story. Is there more ?
hnpatieiice. — I spoke often to Moses during the
forty years of wandering, but he would not hear.
Then I turned to the people. I prompted the making
of the golden calf ; and when hunger, or thirst, or
weariness overcame them, I said to the people,
" Wherefore are ye brought to die in the wilderness t
Choose you a leader and return into Egypt," and they
heard me. And once even Moses heard me. The
people begged for water and God bade him " Speak
to the rock." I whispered, " Smite with your rod
BIBLE CLASS CONCERT EXERCISE. 71
the rock, and with your tongue the people." And he
obeyed me.
Teacher. — "And the Lord spake unto Moses,
* Therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into
the land that I shall give them.' " Avarice, were you
too one of the prophet's companions ?
Avarice. — We were all together in Pharaoh's pal-
ace. After Moses disowned me there, I waited till
the building of the tabernacle. Then I said to the
people, " Keep back your treasures." They would
not hear me, and as they brought more than enough
I said to Moses, " Make yourself rich with what they
bring." I know not whether he heard my voice. He
only answered, " Let neither man nor woman bring
any more work for the tabernacle." And I knew he
was beyond my reach. But later 1 spoke to Balaam
and he heard me.
Teacher. — " And the dumb ass, speaking with a
man's voice, rebuked the madness of the prophet."
Now, Unbelief, most active and subtle of all the com-
pany, there are few who never hear your voice. Did
you too speak with Moses ?
Unbelief. — /never give up. Others are discour-
aged and withdraw, but I remain firm to the last. It
was I, who, when Moses was commanded to speak to
Pharaoh, whispered, "You are slow of speech, and
72 THE OLD YEAR AXD THE NEW.
of a slow tongue," and I prompted the prayer, " Send,
Lord, by whom thou wilt send, but not by me." But
after that he forsook me. In vain I tried to hold him
back at the Red Sea, for I saw the danger that after-
wards overtook Pharaoh, and might easily have over-
taken the Israelites. It was I that kept the people
from entering Canaan to fight alone with the giants
that would surely have destroyed them, nor did I ever
through all the forty years of wandering forsake them.
Teacher. — "So then they could not enter in be-
cause of unbelief." Of you and your comrades, I
can only say, as I would to him who lives by dealing
poison to his fellow-men, " Your success, your speci-
mens of finished work, are the deepest of all warnings
to us to shun your influence." But there remain three
without whose story we should know little of the form-
ing of the character we study. Faith, Hope, Love,
Christian virtues, but far older than the days of Christ,
will you speak to us .'*
Faith. — " By faith Moses, when he was come to
years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daugh-
ter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people
of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ;
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasures of Egypt. By faith he forsook Egypt,
not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as
seeins: Him who is invisible."
BIBLE CL^SS CONCERT EXERCISE. 73
Teacher. — " The just shall live by Faith. ' Now,
Hope.
Hope. — When in his early days Moses saw his
people a race of slaves, I whispered, " Some day they
shall be free." When he saw them despised and de-
graded, and then thought, " I too am an Israelite," I
whispered, " Some day you will glory in being an
Israelite." When he saw the burning bush, and Fear
would have driven him away, I whispered, " The God
who said to Abraham ' Fear not ' is here to speak to
you." It was I who, all the way, repeated to him
God's promises ; who when he thought sadly of the
unbelieving people left behind him, echoed God's
word, "Another prophet shall the Lord your God
raise up unto them, like unto you. Him shall they
hear ; " and who at the last hour, as he took his fare-
well look of Canaan, told him of the brighter, heav-
enly Canaan, his feet should enter before theirs should
tread the ground of the earthly.
Teacher. — "For we are saved by Hope." And
now last and chief of all is Love. How did you crown
this glorious life 1
Love. — We three, Faith, Hope and Love, are so
joined that our work becomes, like ourselves, insep-
arable. The sacrifice of his palace home was a sac-
rifice of love. Love to men gave him the patience,
meicy and earnestness ; love to God inspired the jus-
74 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
tice and truth, which marked his every step. Over
and over again, in those long forty years, his love
sweetened waters of strife bitterer than those of
Marah. Love spoke in every word of that long, lin-
gering farewell, when knowing he must die, yet for-
getting himself and remembering only God and the
people, he urged upon those he was to leave the obe-
dience of love. And when twelve centuries had
passed, Love drew him from his home in heaven to
the mount where, with the transfigured Christ, he
talked of that great sacrifice of love by Him of whose
life his own had been but a type.
For a class of eight or less, all but the teacher's
part and those of the virtues should be omitted.
A MISStOX BAND EXERCISE. 73
A MISSION BAND EXEECISE.
(Let the questions be asked in turn by various
members, wliile one, selected especially for the pur-
pose, with ready memory and clear voice, gives the
answers.)
I.
What gods do the heathen worship ?
Ans. — All the gods of the heathen are idols. Ps.
96 : 4.
They worship devils, and idols of gold and silver
and brass, and stone and of wood, which neither can
see nor hear, nor walk. Rev. 9 ; 20.
2.
Do we owe them the knowledge of the true God ?
A71S. — I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the
barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. Rom.
I : 14.
3-
Can we not pay the deb^ without sending missiona-
ries to them ?
A?is. — How then shall they call on him in whom
they have not believed ; and how shall they believe in
him of whom they have not heard ; and how shall
76 THE OLD TEAR AND THE NEW.
they hear without a preacher; and how shall they
preach except they be sent ? Rom. lo : 14.
4-
What was Christ's last command ?
A?is. — Go teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe all things,
whatsoever I have commanded you. Matt. 28 : 19.
5-
What promise does he give us ?
A71S. — Lo, I am with you alway ; even unto the end
of the world. Matt. 28 : 20.
6.
What if we refuse to obey this command .'*
Ans. — He that shall break the least of these com-
mandments, and shall teach men so, the same shall be
called least in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:19.
7.
What if I have very little to give ?
Ans. — If there be first a willing mind, it is ac-
cepted according to that a man hath and not accord-
ing to that he hath not. 2 Cor. 8 : 12.
8.
What if I cannot give without real sacrifice ?
Ans. — For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
A MJSSIOy BAND EXERCISE. 77
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he
became poor, that we through his poverty might be
made rich. 2 Cor. 8:9.
9-
What if some of the money should be wasted ?
A/is. — Sow in the morn thy seed, and at evening
withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not which shall
prosper, whether this or that, or whether both shall be
alike good. Eccl. 11:6.
t>^
10.
What if there is plenty to do at home ?
A/is. — Go ye into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature. Mark 16 : 15.
II.
What is promised to Christ ?
An^. — Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen
for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the
earth for thy possession. Ps. 2:8.
12.
W^hat more is promised }
A/IS. — The earth shall be full of the knowledge of
the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9.
13-
What has he taught us to pray ?
78 THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.
Ans. — Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven. Matt. 6 : lo.
14.
Have we any right to offer this prayer, if we are
unwilling to aid in spreading Christ's kingdom }
Ans. — Faith without works is dead, being alone,
James 2 : 17.
Does it belong to us all to extend Christ's invita-
tion ?
Ans. — The Spirit and the Bride say " Come ; "' and
let him that heareth say " Come ; " and let him that is
athirst " Come; " and whosoever will let him take of
the water of life freely. Rev. 22 : 17.
16.
Is it not enough that we invite those immediately
around us ?
Ans. — Go ye into the highways and hedges, and
compel them to come in. Luke 14 : 23.
17-
Where shall we find the result of our labors and
sacrifices ?
Ans. — After this I beheld, and lo, a great multi-
tude which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and peoples and tongues, stood before the
throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
A MlSSIOy BAND EXERCISE. 79
and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice,
saying, " Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the
throne, and to the Lamb."
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,
" What are these who are arrayed in white robes ?
And whence came they ? "
And I said unto him, " Sir, thou knowest."
And he said unto me, " These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Thereioie are they before the throne of God and
serve him day and night in his temple, and He that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They
shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the
Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them and shall lead them unto living fountains of
waters."
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Rev. 7 : 9, 10-14, 17-
A Book you will want to read !
THAT
ilM ISIi M
AND
HER RECEIPTS.
Permit me to call your special attention to this very
instriictive and entei'tainiiig book. It is just the book for
the home circle — send at once if you want to get it.
CONTENTS
Chap. I. What shall we do with the Leavings.?
" II. The Deceitful Carpet.
" III. Bonnet and Bags.
" IV. Mending and a Story.
" V. Grandma's Pep'mints.
" VI. The Home a means of Grace.
" VII. The Charity Party.
" VIII. Receipts with Remarks.
" IX. Pen Fever and that Cook-Book.
" X. Wedding Cake.
Octavo — 116 pp. Price 30 Cents.
Howard Gannett,
Publisher,
Tremont Temple. BOSTON.
/
CV^V^J^"-'-
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW
EXERCISES
FOR
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS'
LAWN PARTIES, MISSION BANDS,
AND
SUNDAY SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENTS.
BY
MRS. ADA C. CHAPLIN.
BOSTON:
HOWARD GANNETT
TREMONT TEMPLE.
1883.
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