Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 7, 23 January 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by ihe Wliakatn

A SINGING MOTHER

A year or two ago, in a Farm journal, I came across a paragraph with this title. I' cut it out, and pass it on now. ''What a luippy idea it was that .set apart as Mothers' Day tlie second Sunday in May. it means much to when we are still in tihe ho»ne, but when 'mountains divide us and ri waste, of seas,' we appreciate home unci mother a great deal more. "One of the things for which I am very thankful is that mine was, and is, a singing mother. As* far back as [ can remember shei was singing, CA'en in the days when she was home sick for Scotland and her own folk there. I must admit that she never sang in a concert, but what her '/oice lacked in volume it made up in sweetness of tone, and, anyway, we were satisfied that all was web when mother sang.

"When the sewing machine "wheels were flying, Mother's voice would lift raised in stirring Scottish lays. When the baby was restless she Avould Ising hushed lullabies or quiet hymns. When tlie broom or scrubbing brush or duster were being wielded. o'd ballads, lyrics and psalms were sung. Prom these flights of song we learned to know and love the old Sjo!tish songs. "I think oil mothers should sing as thev go about their work. It makes the heart light and tlie work lighter—and- it lives in the memories, of tli£ children when other things arc forgotten." —Babette. Strangely enough this morning's mail brought a letter with the same thought expressed. "Do you remember some time ago there was a discussion which was better—old or new hymns? At the time T favoured introducing new hymns in our worship; but lately it has come home to me how folks are turning to the old hymns again.

"New h3 r mns and new tunes are all very well in easy times, but these days are the days when one wants to sing hymns that have stood the test of other hard days. It has been said that what the world needs is not So much more Christians, but a better brand of Christians. We shciuld all be up and doing, singing as we go, in spite of all the world worries. "How grand it is to meet a calm and singing friend! I am thinking of one. Her son is in camp; there are home difficulties; she is not blessed with much of this world's goods, yet she goes on singing. Not new hymns, but those she learned at Sunday School as a child. Her voice has lost some of its fulness, but her heart as well as her lips sing:

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

Simply trusting every clay, Trusting through n stormy way, Even when my faith is small Trusting Jesus, that is all.

"What a change would come if women from North Cape to the Bluff would sing at their work each day! It might not be easy—there might be some cjueer noises, but singing the beautiful old hymns full of God's promises, would comfort and calm sad hearts.

"Doctors tell us what we need today is more singing, for our physical health. We need it for oiiir spiritual health as well. God says they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, and there is no bettor way than to sing as we go about our work."—Esther.

These two contributions sent me, hunting through some old books to see what others have said on this subject. One, Arvine, told of a wise clergyman, possessing much knowledge of human nature, who instructed his family of daughters in the theory and practice of music. They were all observed to lie exceedingly happy and amiable. A friend enquired if there was any secret in his moidc of education. He replied, "When anything disturbs their temper, I say to them, Sing, and if i hear them speaking against anv person, I call them to sing to me: and so they have sung away causes of discontent and every disposition to si'andal."

"There is nothing like singing to keep your spirits alive," another writer says. "When wc have been in trouble, we have often thought ourselves to be well-nigh overwhelmed with difficulty; and we have said. 'Let lis have a song,'' wc have begun to sing. Martin Luther said. 'The devil cannot bear singing. That is nbout the truth; he does not like music ... If we can begin to sing, we shall remove our fears." A book of modern illustrations also mentions the value of music. "What yc.u doin' there, Sambo, strummin' at the banjo, and singin' away all to yourself?" exclaimed a passing person to a happy coloured man. "Oh, I's just serenadin' mah own soul," was the quick reply.

I come back to where we started I'rom—a singing mother. Down the years comes the sound of my e\vn mother's voice, as she went about her household tasks: "Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid; ['11 strengthen tlice, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld b}' my gracious omnipotent hand." As Babette says, we are satisfied that all was well when Mother sang. Happy is the home that has a singing mo.ther !