It is worth a great deal to have the right kind of memory. Although there are more bright spots than shadows in our lives, we are apt to forget this, and let the wrong kind of memory fasten itself upon us quite unawares. Many would be surprised, if they kept a record, to see how far the days with at least some gleams of gladness outnumbered the “days that are dark and cold and dreary.” Try it. For a “red-line jubilee” you need to begin a year beforehand. At New Year’s, or just before, each Junior is to be presented with a calendar, and the plan is as follows: All that you need is your calendar, a clean pen, and a bottle of red ink. Every evening you take out your calendar, and, if the day has been a happy one, draw a red line all around the date; if it brought you only some gleams of gladness, make a red dot for every gleam; and, if it was a day of sorrow and trouble, unrelieved by any brightness, leave the date blank, with only its own black line surrounding it. Then, at the very end of the year, hold a “red-line jubilee,” and, see whose calendar makes the best showing. As every one learns by kindness to others to make his own happiness instead of being satisfied with any stale, second-hand variety, the red lines will grow more and more numerous. To the “red-line jubilee” bring all I. Smile once in a while; ’Twill make your heart seem lighter. Smile once in a while; ’Twill make your pathway brighter. Life’s a mirror; if we smile, Smiles come back to greet us; If we’re frowning all the while, Frowns forever meet us. II. There’s help in seeming cheerful When a body’s feeling blue, In looking calm and pleasant If there’s nothing else to do. If other folks are wearing, And things are all awry, Don’t vex yourself with caring; ’Twill be better by and by. III. There’s never a rose in all the world But makes some green spray sweeter; There’s never a wind in all the sky But makes some bird-wing fleeter; There’s never a star but brings to heaven Some silver radiance tender, To crown the sunset splendor; No robin but may thrill some heart, His dawn-like gladness voicing; God gives us all some small, sweet way To set the world rejoicing. IV. The little sharp vexations, And the briers that catch and fret— Why not take all to the Helper Who has never failed us yet? Tell him about the heartache, And tell him the longings, too; Tell him the baffled purpose When we scarce know what to do; Then, leaving all our weakness With the One divinely strong, Forget that we bore the burden, And carry away the song. If longer selections are wanted, “Cheer Up” and “The Bright Side” from “Junior Recitations” are both especially suitable. Such a meeting could be held the last Sunday in the year; or it could be made a sociable instead of a meeting, and held some evening during the week. In either case, don’t forget to invite outsiders and share with them the sunshine that is being made. If on a week-night, the programme should be very short; and games, with the refreshments, should fill the rest of the time. Decorate the Among the games the variation of tag called “red line” could be included if the room is large. Stretch a red ribbon across the floor in a straight line, fastening the ends with weights or pins. This serves as a goal. One of the Juniors who has been chosen “it” cries, “Red line!” and starts to chase the other players. As soon as he touches one, both return to the line; then these two, clasping hands, start out again and touch some one else; then the three do the same; and so on. When there are four, or any even number, at the line, they may go two by two; but, whenever the number is odd, they must all run together in one long line. When all are caught, the game begins again, the first one caught in the previous game playing “it” as the new game is begun. A “red-line hunt” would be fun, and could be arranged by hiding various small gifts or souvenirs, each tied to one end of a red cord, this wound and interlaced for some length around furniture, doors, etc., each child to be given a free end with the task of following the “red line” to its happy conclusion. Have each parcel wrapped in white tissue-paper and tied with a red ribbon or a bit of red embroidery silk, to carry out still further the plan of the evening. The gifts themselves should be very simple, and should be something equally suitable for boys and girls. |