Article January 20, 1951 Issue

Hymns

The opening hymn of the Sunday School exercises provides an opportunity for pupils, teachers, and officers to join in praise to God and thus prepares thought to receive the blessings of the hour that follows. A second hymn, near the close of the exercises, brings the school together again in joy and gratitude for God and His infinite goodness.

Regarding the use of her hymns in The Mother Church, Mary Baker Eddy wrote to The Christian Science Board of Directors under date of March 3, 1903, as follows: "It would be a good thing to have one of my hymns read and sung about every Sunday. It would spiritualize the thought of your audience, and this is more needed in the church than aught else can be" (see Christian Science Sentinel, April 18, 1931). For this reason many branch churches follow the practice of using one of Mrs. Eddy's hymns each Sunday in Sunday School as well as in the church services.

In The Mother Church Sunday School and in the Sunday School of many branch churches this hymn is used in the opening exercises. It is obvious that the spiritualizing effect of our Leader's hymns on the thought of the pupils will be in proportion to their understanding of them. Hence it is well that teachers make sure that the pupils understand these hymns. It is well, too, that they understand other hymns they sing. This does not mean that the Hymnal is to be used as a textbook in the classes, nor does it mean that one of the hymns may be taught as a lesson in itself.

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