18. Music.--The girls of our school often amused themselves in recess by
collecting into little groups for singing. As there seemed to be a
sufficient power of voice, and a respectable number who were willing to
join in the performance, it was proposed one day that singing should be
introduced as a part of the devotional exercises of the school.
The first attempt nearly resulted in a failure; only a few trembling
voices succeeded in singing Old Hundred to the words "Be thou," etc. On
the second day Peterborough was sung with much greater confidence on the
part of the increased number of singers. The experiment was tried with
greater and greater success for several days, when the teacher proposed
that a systematic plan should be formed, by which there might be singing
regularly at the close of school. It was then proposed that a number of
singing-books be obtained, and one of the scholars, who was well
acquainted with common tunes, be appointed as chorister. Her duty should
be to decide what particular tune may be sung each day, inform the
teacher of the metre of the hymn, and take the lead in the exercise.
This plan, being approved of by the scholars, was adopted, and put into
immediate execution. Several brought copies of the Sabbath School
Hymn-Book, which they had in their possession, and the plan succeeded
beyond all expectation. The greatest difficulty in the way was to get
some one to lead. The chorister, however, was somewhat relieved from the
embarrassment which she would naturally feel in making a beginning by
the appointment of one or two individuals with herself, who were to act
as her assistants.
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