The Elementary Worker and his Work

The Elementary Worker and his Work  (1911)  Alice Jacobs nd Ermina C. Lincoln

Reprint of two songs, "Happy Birthday" and "Good Morning", citing Song Stories for the Sunday School by Mildred and Patty Hill at p.67 and 84

THE WORKER AND HIS WORK SERIES

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TEXT-BOOKS FOR THE CORRESPONDENCE STUDY
COURSES OF THE BOARD OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS

THE ELEMENTARY
WORKER AND
HIS WORK

(Treating the Beginners' and Primary
Departments only.)

By

ALICE JACOBS and

ERMINA C. LINCOLN

Authorized and Issued by the Board of Sunday
schools of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Fourteen West Washington St., Chicago, Illinois,
edgar Blake, Corresponding Secretary,
in Co-operation with John T. Mcfarland, Editor of
sunday' School Publications, and with His Approval.

PRINTED FOR THE BOARD
BY
JENNINGS AND GRAHAM

Copyright, 1911, by
The Board of Sunday Schools
of the
Methodist Episcopal Church

 ...

chooses a little friend, and so on till all have been greeted.

Then together they sing,

"Good morning to you, Good morning to you, Good morning, dear children, Good morning to all."

"This is such a beautiful morning. I wonder if you saw some things that I saw this morning? Did you notice the trees as you came to Sunday-school? What did you notice, Harold? Yes, the little new leaves. Who else noticed something beautiful this morning? The grass, yes; and even some flower buds. Who made all these beautiful things? God, the loving Heavenly Father. Let us sing about the things God has made."

"All things bright and beautiful, All things great and small, All things wise and wonderful, Our Father made them all."

In this informal conversation, which makes every one feel at home and comfortable, the children may tell about their pleasures, such as new shoes or a ride in an automobile or a party. The more they love the Sunday-school teacher, the more they will have to tell her, and possibly some child will have something to show her.

"I wonder how many children we have here to-day. Jack, help me count them." Taking Jack by the hand the teacher goes round the circle, Jack touching each child lightly, as all the children count aloud with the teacher. (The children enjoy being counted.)

"Have we any new children to-day? Two? Isn't that Recognitions nice? Fred and Jennie, bring your little friends to me that we may welcome them." As they stand by the teacher, if not too timid, the children sing a welcome song,

" A welcome to you, A welcome to you, A welcome, dear children, We're glad to see you."

(Sung to same tune as the "Good Morning.")

"Nellie is here this morning. She has been away so many Sundays. Come, Nellie, we all want to sing our welcome to you."

All together,

" A welcome to you, A welcome to you, A welcome, dear Nellie, We're glad to see you."

"Did any one have a birthday this week? John had a birthday. How old is John? Now every one be ready to count as he drops his pennies in the bank. One, two, three, four! Four years old. Shall we clap for him? All the hands, one, two, three, four, and one to grow on. And we want to sing our birthday song to John,

" Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear John, Happy birthday to you."

(Sung to the same tune as the "Good Morning.")

"All together, let us say our birthday wish:

" Many happy returns of the day of thy birth,  May sunshine and gladness be given; And may the dear Father prepare thee on earth  For a beautiful birthday in heaven."

The birthday child is then given a birthday card. If there is a new name for the cradle roll, the children are told about the baby, and as the name is placed in a tiny cradle, tied with pink bows, the children say together:

"Little cradle, do you think, With your pretty bows of pink, You can faithful be and true To the name we trust with you? "As we lay it gently there We will add a little prayer That the little baby face In our class may find a place."

Prayer is offered for the new children, the birthday child, the new baby, and all the babies on the cradle roll.

A new song may be introduced here, or some exercise, familiar song or game, suggestive of the thought of the lesson for the day. This will in a measure prepare for the lessonA Look
Toward the
Lesson and give the children relaxation and rest. For instance, some of the children may be trees, with their spreading branches (arms extended); others flowers or bushes, with their buds opening (hands to represent opening buds), and some the whistling wind blowing the trees and flowers. The rain may come (children tapping with fingers on the floor), and then a rain song follow. This time may occasionally be used for the review of some previous lesson or possibly the telling of a favorite story.

The offering boxes are now brought, the objects for which Offering the money may be given are discussed briefly (sometimes a simple missionary story may be told), and then the children drop their money in the boxes as they choose.

Gradually the children's thought is led to the fact that this is God's day and God's house. The children may say The Church

together some such text as this, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." Or, "This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." The children like to sing about the church bells calling people to church:

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