HOW lovely the sound of a hymn, sung by many voices, and still flowing together as if it were only one. And it is blessed to teach children early to sing beautiful hymns.
Listen to a tale told to me by somebody who called hymns “the Christian’s recognition-mark.”
A family had emigrated to the United States. Living close to the woods, one day in the absence of the father, and mother, a number of Redskin’s attacked the house, plundered everything, and carried off with them a little girl of six years. Into the immeasurable prairies and thick woods, they vanished without leaving a trace. All efforts to recover the child were fruitless.
The parents mourned seven years for the lost child. Then one day tidings came, that a troop of soldiers had discovered in the depths of the woods, an Indian village, where a number of white children were kept, and were being raised as Indians. Parents who had lost their children were invited to come, and see if they were there.
This mother hurried off. She came to the place, and called her Jennie; but none of the children gave the least sign of recognition. The mother stood there, despairing. So near, and yet so far! So dear, and yet a stranger! She wept bitterly. The Captain then said:
“But tell me, is there nothing else to remind her, except her name. It seems to me there ought to be some other sign to recall the past to her.”
“O, yes,” the mother said. “I remember that my child came to me every evening before going to bed, and then 1 used to sing to her the evening hymn, which she knew by heart.”
“That’s it,” said the officer, “sit down there and sing that hymn.”
She sang a hymn like this:
“O glorious Christ, eternal Light.”
All were gazing at the children. One of the most attractive started up and listened; then with tears in her eyes, she ran to her mother and sank at her feet. Such is the power of song!
Mothers and teachers, let the children learn the Christian songs by heart!
ML 10/08/1922