The Crowning of the Sunday-School Angel.MUSICAL DIALOGUE WITH TABLEAU.CHARACTERS.The Guard,Gentleman.The Angel of Order,⎫Ladies.The Angel of Literature,⎪The Angel of Music,⎬The Angel of Love,⎪The Angel of the Word of God.⎭⎫A small boy.Two Ragged Children,⎬⎭A little girl.A Chorus of Sunday-school Scholars.Preparations.—A large Gothic chair raised one step or more from the floor of the pulpit for a throne. A crown (made of pasteboard and covered with gold paper will answer), placed onthe top of the chair. A scepter is needed. The ladies taking the parts should be dressed in white; they may each wear a long flowing veil of illusion or other light material, with star on the forehead. The veil should not cover the face, but fall back over the shoulders.The Guardshould wear a Knight Templar or other suitable uniform, and should take charge of and guard the throne beforeORDERpresents herself.The Angel of Order(comes up the aisle, with a bell or some emblem of order in her hand, and ascending the pulpit advances towards the throne and addresses the Guard as follows):I am the Angel of Order; “Order is heaven’s first law,”—a glorious law, seen in those beauteous isles of light that come and go, as circling months fulfil their high behest. Nor less on earth discerned mid rocks snow-clad or wastes of herbless sand.Throughout all climes, beneath all varying skies, fixing for e’en the smallest flower that blooms, its place of growth.I am the child of beauty and wisdom. My attendants are comfort, neatness, and activity. I come to be the angel of the Sunday-school. Let me occupy this throne and issue my decrees, and confusion will be unknown; officers, teachers and scholars shall be under my control.All the regulations essential to a proper conducting of the school shall be enforced. Punctuality in attendance, propriety in behavior, attention to instruction, and obedience to rules shall be insisted upon. I will have a place for everything, and everything shall be in its place.Guard(replies).—Angel of Order, I welcome thee; what thou hast said is true; what would this universe be withoutthy mighty presence? Were thy power abolished but for a moment, “the war of elements, the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds” would be the immediate and inevitable result. Thou art needed everywhere, and we must have thee in our school, but thou canst not be the Supreme Angel of the school. Stand here upon the right of the throne (conducts her to the right of the throne).The Angel of Literature(comes up the aisle with books, papers and tracts in her hand, ascending the pulpit, advances toward the throne, and addresses the Guard as follows):I am the Angel of Literature. The written thoughts and emotions of men constitute my domain. The pen and the press are the instruments of my progress, and are mightier than the sword. I, too, am an applicant for this throne. Give me authority and I will supply the school with books and papers, with leaves and tracts,—of these there shall be no lack. The library shall be replenished from time to time with entertaining, instructive and religious volumes,—well bound and beautiful. And all will be glad for my presence and rejoice in my power (advances toward the throne).Guard(replies).—Angel of Literature, I greet thee also with pleasure. Thy sphere is a noble one, and thy mission worthy. The mind must be stored with knowledge and stimulated with truth. It is thine to impart information and administer culture,—to aid in the education of our race. We give thee a place in our school, but cannot crown thee as its Ruling Angel. Stand here upon the left (leads her to the left of the throne).The Angel of Music(comes up the aisle starting from the vestibule of the church, having in her hand a harp, or other instrument, and a roll of music, singing):[[audio/mpeg]Solo by Angel of MusicSolo, by Angel of Music.There are little children singing round the throne,In that heav’nly land, In that heav’nly land,They are singing round the bright eternal throne,The great white throne of God.Chorus by the School.We shall meet them in their bright eternal home,We will sing with them around the great white throne,We will sing of Him who died, Of our Saviour crucified,Round the great white throne of God.From the New Silver Song, by permission ofW. W. Whitney.The Angel of Music(advances toward the Guard, and addresses him as follows):I am the Angel of Music. Melody and Harmony are my children. I open my mouth in song and my voice trembles with sweet sounds. I touch the keys of the instrument and the air is full of delightful strains. I give strength to the weak; encourage the wavering; cheer the sick, and assist in the triumph of the dying. I make heaven jubilant with anthems of praise. My voice is heard on earth in the lullabys of the nursery, in the songs of childhood, in the hymns of the sanctuary and in the ballads of the nation. My power is felt by the refined and the savage.Let me be the ruling angel of the Sunday-school. I will furnish each department with an organ. I will teach all to sing. The tunes and the time shall be perfect, and no discord shall be heard amid the blended notes. Books of music shall be in abundance and all hearts shall thrill with gladness.[[audio/mpeg]We love to sing togetherChorus by the School.We love to sing together, we love to sing together,Our hearts and voices one;To praise our heav’nly Father,To praise our heav’nly Father,And His eternal Son;We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together,We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together.Copyrighted, 1859, in Oriola, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.Guard(replies).—Angel of Music, I have listened to thy song, and its sweetness has captivated my soul. Surely thy work is sublime and thy influence great.“Music the fierest grief can charm,And fate’s severest rage disarm;Music can soften pain to ease,And make despair and madness please;Our joys below it can improve,And antedate the bliss above.”We cheerfully assign thee a place in our midst, but thou canst not be the Supreme Angel of the school (leads her to the right of the throne).The Angel of Love(comes up the aisle leading a little boy and girl, each wearing a loose, ragged garment that can be easily thrown off. She advances toward the Guard and addresses him as follows):I am the Angel of Love. I dwell in the bosom of God and in the hearts of men. Heaven is the scene of my highest manifestation, but I breathe benedictions on the earth. I relieve the needy and cheer the disconsolate with words and deeds of sympathy. The light of my smile kindles a radiance in many dark places of sorrow. My scepter subdues the hardest heart, and my speech often wins the prodigal back to his father’s house. I make home happy and bless the church with prosperity. I am a candidate for this throne. Give me place, and I will cause with magic power springs of happiness to rise, and flowers of social delight to bloom in the pathway of all; the aged and the young shall alike rejoice, and the entire school shall witness how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. Besides this, I will go out into the highways and hedges, into the lanes and alleys; visit the abodes of the poor and the haunts of ignorance, and will gather the children in that they may be enriched with the treasures of grace, and made wise unto salvation.[[audio/mpeg]Gather them inQuartette.Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Gather them in from the broad highway, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in, in this gospel day, gather, gather them in.Gather them in from the prairies vast, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in of every cast, gather, gather them in.Full Chorus.Gather them in, let the house be full,Gather them into the Sunday School,Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Copyrighted, 1861, in Golden Chain, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.Guard.—Angel of Love, fairest daughter of the skies, thy smile is radiant with blessing, and thy coming is ever a benediction. Without thee, this world would be a wilderness, drear and cold, where naught but cruelty and sorrow would abound. Truly thou art welcome. Let thy voice be heard and thy power be felt among us. Bind our hearts together with a threefold cord which cannot be broken, and may the glory of thy presence surround us ever as with a halo; but to thee, as to all who have preceded thee, I am compelled to say, thy place is not upon the throne, as the ruling angel of the Sunday-school.Guard(leads her to the left, beside the Angel of Literature; the boy and girl during the singing having thrown off their ragged garments, take their places one on each side of her).The Angel of the Word of God(comes up the aisle, carrying a Bible in her arms, and advancing toward the Guard, addresses him as follows):I am the Angel of the Word of God; Order is indispensible, Literature is needed, Music is to be desired, Love must ever abide. Each has her place and her work, but higher than all, and the inspirer of all, is the Bible. I come as the lamp of truth to a benighted world; the bearer of intelligence from the throne of God—a revelation to men of duty and destiny. I come as the chart and compass to guide men safely over thesea of life to the desired haven. My mission is to instruct both adults and children in the way of holiness that leads to heaven. I teach the sublime truths of faith and salvation—of God and immortality.Wherever I go, the wilderness and solitary places are glad for me, and the deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose.If all would heed my words and partake of my spirit, the whole world would soon recover the charms of Eden.Instead of sin and misery, there would be everywhere purity and bliss. I come to train these children and youth in the ways of piety, and develop in them the elements of true manhood and womanhood; to qualify them for usefulness here, and blessedness hereafter. I wish to be crowned the angel of the Sunday-school.Guard.—Angel of the Word of God, All Hail! A thousand welcomes. For thee we have waited long and rejoice in thy coming. Thou hast said well—Order is indispensible. Literature is needed. Music is to be desired. Love must ever abide. These are thy handmaids and shall remain with us, but thou shalt be supreme. Ascend the throne (she takes her place on the throne). On thy head I put this crown. In thy hand I place this scepter. Rule thou over us. Fill our minds with thy wisdom, our hearts with thy spirit, that our lives may show forth the praise of Him who created us, and redeemed us by the blood of His Son. Order, Literature, Music, Love, these shall assist thee, and our School shall be a Bible School. Thou art the Angel of the Sunday-school!TABLEAU.The Guard.—(Standing immediately in front of the throne, will sheath his sword, take off his hat, and say):Order, Literature, Music, Love, let us bow in token of oursubmission to the Word of God. (They all kneel and the Angel of the Word of God holds the Bible out on her hand while the school rises and sings):[[audio/mpeg]The BibleFull Chorus.1. The Bible! the Bible! more precious than gold,The hopes and the glories its pages unfold,It speaks of a Saviour, and tells of his love,It shows us the way to the mansions above.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!2. The Bible! the Bible! the valleys shall ring,And hillstops reecho the notes that we sing,Our banners, inscribed with its precepts and rules,Shall long wave in triumph the joy of our school.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!From the Sabbath Bell, No. 1, by permission ofBiglow & Mainowners of Copyright.]CURTAIN.Rev.D. W. Gordon.
MUSICAL DIALOGUE WITH TABLEAU.
CHARACTERS.
Preparations.—A large Gothic chair raised one step or more from the floor of the pulpit for a throne. A crown (made of pasteboard and covered with gold paper will answer), placed onthe top of the chair. A scepter is needed. The ladies taking the parts should be dressed in white; they may each wear a long flowing veil of illusion or other light material, with star on the forehead. The veil should not cover the face, but fall back over the shoulders.
The Guardshould wear a Knight Templar or other suitable uniform, and should take charge of and guard the throne beforeORDERpresents herself.
The Angel of Order(comes up the aisle, with a bell or some emblem of order in her hand, and ascending the pulpit advances towards the throne and addresses the Guard as follows):
I am the Angel of Order; “Order is heaven’s first law,”—a glorious law, seen in those beauteous isles of light that come and go, as circling months fulfil their high behest. Nor less on earth discerned mid rocks snow-clad or wastes of herbless sand.
Throughout all climes, beneath all varying skies, fixing for e’en the smallest flower that blooms, its place of growth.
I am the child of beauty and wisdom. My attendants are comfort, neatness, and activity. I come to be the angel of the Sunday-school. Let me occupy this throne and issue my decrees, and confusion will be unknown; officers, teachers and scholars shall be under my control.
All the regulations essential to a proper conducting of the school shall be enforced. Punctuality in attendance, propriety in behavior, attention to instruction, and obedience to rules shall be insisted upon. I will have a place for everything, and everything shall be in its place.
Guard(replies).—Angel of Order, I welcome thee; what thou hast said is true; what would this universe be withoutthy mighty presence? Were thy power abolished but for a moment, “the war of elements, the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds” would be the immediate and inevitable result. Thou art needed everywhere, and we must have thee in our school, but thou canst not be the Supreme Angel of the school. Stand here upon the right of the throne (conducts her to the right of the throne).
The Angel of Literature(comes up the aisle with books, papers and tracts in her hand, ascending the pulpit, advances toward the throne, and addresses the Guard as follows):
I am the Angel of Literature. The written thoughts and emotions of men constitute my domain. The pen and the press are the instruments of my progress, and are mightier than the sword. I, too, am an applicant for this throne. Give me authority and I will supply the school with books and papers, with leaves and tracts,—of these there shall be no lack. The library shall be replenished from time to time with entertaining, instructive and religious volumes,—well bound and beautiful. And all will be glad for my presence and rejoice in my power (advances toward the throne).
Guard(replies).—Angel of Literature, I greet thee also with pleasure. Thy sphere is a noble one, and thy mission worthy. The mind must be stored with knowledge and stimulated with truth. It is thine to impart information and administer culture,—to aid in the education of our race. We give thee a place in our school, but cannot crown thee as its Ruling Angel. Stand here upon the left (leads her to the left of the throne).
The Angel of Music(comes up the aisle starting from the vestibule of the church, having in her hand a harp, or other instrument, and a roll of music, singing):
[[audio/mpeg]
Solo by Angel of Music
Solo, by Angel of Music.There are little children singing round the throne,In that heav’nly land, In that heav’nly land,They are singing round the bright eternal throne,The great white throne of God.Chorus by the School.We shall meet them in their bright eternal home,We will sing with them around the great white throne,We will sing of Him who died, Of our Saviour crucified,Round the great white throne of God.From the New Silver Song, by permission ofW. W. Whitney.
Solo, by Angel of Music.There are little children singing round the throne,In that heav’nly land, In that heav’nly land,They are singing round the bright eternal throne,The great white throne of God.Chorus by the School.We shall meet them in their bright eternal home,We will sing with them around the great white throne,We will sing of Him who died, Of our Saviour crucified,Round the great white throne of God.From the New Silver Song, by permission ofW. W. Whitney.
Solo, by Angel of Music.
There are little children singing round the throne,
In that heav’nly land, In that heav’nly land,
They are singing round the bright eternal throne,
The great white throne of God.
Chorus by the School.
We shall meet them in their bright eternal home,
We will sing with them around the great white throne,
We will sing of Him who died, Of our Saviour crucified,
Round the great white throne of God.
From the New Silver Song, by permission ofW. W. Whitney.
The Angel of Music(advances toward the Guard, and addresses him as follows):
I am the Angel of Music. Melody and Harmony are my children. I open my mouth in song and my voice trembles with sweet sounds. I touch the keys of the instrument and the air is full of delightful strains. I give strength to the weak; encourage the wavering; cheer the sick, and assist in the triumph of the dying. I make heaven jubilant with anthems of praise. My voice is heard on earth in the lullabys of the nursery, in the songs of childhood, in the hymns of the sanctuary and in the ballads of the nation. My power is felt by the refined and the savage.
Let me be the ruling angel of the Sunday-school. I will furnish each department with an organ. I will teach all to sing. The tunes and the time shall be perfect, and no discord shall be heard amid the blended notes. Books of music shall be in abundance and all hearts shall thrill with gladness.
[[audio/mpeg]
We love to sing together
Chorus by the School.We love to sing together, we love to sing together,Our hearts and voices one;To praise our heav’nly Father,To praise our heav’nly Father,And His eternal Son;We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together,We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together.Copyrighted, 1859, in Oriola, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Chorus by the School.We love to sing together, we love to sing together,Our hearts and voices one;To praise our heav’nly Father,To praise our heav’nly Father,And His eternal Son;We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together,We love, we love, we love, we love,We love to sing together.Copyrighted, 1859, in Oriola, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Chorus by the School.
We love to sing together, we love to sing together,
Our hearts and voices one;
To praise our heav’nly Father,
To praise our heav’nly Father,
And His eternal Son;
We love, we love, we love, we love,
We love to sing together,
We love, we love, we love, we love,
We love to sing together.
Copyrighted, 1859, in Oriola, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Guard(replies).—Angel of Music, I have listened to thy song, and its sweetness has captivated my soul. Surely thy work is sublime and thy influence great.
“Music the fierest grief can charm,And fate’s severest rage disarm;Music can soften pain to ease,And make despair and madness please;Our joys below it can improve,And antedate the bliss above.”
“Music the fierest grief can charm,And fate’s severest rage disarm;Music can soften pain to ease,And make despair and madness please;Our joys below it can improve,And antedate the bliss above.”
“Music the fierest grief can charm,
And fate’s severest rage disarm;
Music can soften pain to ease,
And make despair and madness please;
Our joys below it can improve,
And antedate the bliss above.”
We cheerfully assign thee a place in our midst, but thou canst not be the Supreme Angel of the school (leads her to the right of the throne).
The Angel of Love(comes up the aisle leading a little boy and girl, each wearing a loose, ragged garment that can be easily thrown off. She advances toward the Guard and addresses him as follows):
I am the Angel of Love. I dwell in the bosom of God and in the hearts of men. Heaven is the scene of my highest manifestation, but I breathe benedictions on the earth. I relieve the needy and cheer the disconsolate with words and deeds of sympathy. The light of my smile kindles a radiance in many dark places of sorrow. My scepter subdues the hardest heart, and my speech often wins the prodigal back to his father’s house. I make home happy and bless the church with prosperity. I am a candidate for this throne. Give me place, and I will cause with magic power springs of happiness to rise, and flowers of social delight to bloom in the pathway of all; the aged and the young shall alike rejoice, and the entire school shall witness how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. Besides this, I will go out into the highways and hedges, into the lanes and alleys; visit the abodes of the poor and the haunts of ignorance, and will gather the children in that they may be enriched with the treasures of grace, and made wise unto salvation.
[[audio/mpeg]
Gather them in
Quartette.Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Gather them in from the broad highway, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in, in this gospel day, gather, gather them in.Gather them in from the prairies vast, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in of every cast, gather, gather them in.Full Chorus.Gather them in, let the house be full,Gather them into the Sunday School,Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Copyrighted, 1861, in Golden Chain, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Quartette.Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Gather them in from the broad highway, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in, in this gospel day, gather, gather them in.Gather them in from the prairies vast, gather them in, gather them in;Gather them in of every cast, gather, gather them in.Full Chorus.Gather them in, let the house be full,Gather them into the Sunday School,Gather them in, gather them in,Gather the children in.Copyrighted, 1861, in Golden Chain, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Quartette.
Gather them in, gather them in,
Gather the children in.
Gather them in from the broad highway, gather them in, gather them in;
Gather them in, in this gospel day, gather, gather them in.
Gather them in from the prairies vast, gather them in, gather them in;
Gather them in of every cast, gather, gather them in.
Full Chorus.
Gather them in, let the house be full,
Gather them into the Sunday School,
Gather them in, gather them in,
Gather the children in.
Copyrighted, 1861, in Golden Chain, byW. B. Bradbury;used by permission ofBiglow & Main.
Guard.—Angel of Love, fairest daughter of the skies, thy smile is radiant with blessing, and thy coming is ever a benediction. Without thee, this world would be a wilderness, drear and cold, where naught but cruelty and sorrow would abound. Truly thou art welcome. Let thy voice be heard and thy power be felt among us. Bind our hearts together with a threefold cord which cannot be broken, and may the glory of thy presence surround us ever as with a halo; but to thee, as to all who have preceded thee, I am compelled to say, thy place is not upon the throne, as the ruling angel of the Sunday-school.Guard(leads her to the left, beside the Angel of Literature; the boy and girl during the singing having thrown off their ragged garments, take their places one on each side of her).
The Angel of the Word of God(comes up the aisle, carrying a Bible in her arms, and advancing toward the Guard, addresses him as follows):
I am the Angel of the Word of God; Order is indispensible, Literature is needed, Music is to be desired, Love must ever abide. Each has her place and her work, but higher than all, and the inspirer of all, is the Bible. I come as the lamp of truth to a benighted world; the bearer of intelligence from the throne of God—a revelation to men of duty and destiny. I come as the chart and compass to guide men safely over thesea of life to the desired haven. My mission is to instruct both adults and children in the way of holiness that leads to heaven. I teach the sublime truths of faith and salvation—of God and immortality.
Wherever I go, the wilderness and solitary places are glad for me, and the deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose.
If all would heed my words and partake of my spirit, the whole world would soon recover the charms of Eden.
Instead of sin and misery, there would be everywhere purity and bliss. I come to train these children and youth in the ways of piety, and develop in them the elements of true manhood and womanhood; to qualify them for usefulness here, and blessedness hereafter. I wish to be crowned the angel of the Sunday-school.
Guard.—Angel of the Word of God, All Hail! A thousand welcomes. For thee we have waited long and rejoice in thy coming. Thou hast said well—Order is indispensible. Literature is needed. Music is to be desired. Love must ever abide. These are thy handmaids and shall remain with us, but thou shalt be supreme. Ascend the throne (she takes her place on the throne). On thy head I put this crown. In thy hand I place this scepter. Rule thou over us. Fill our minds with thy wisdom, our hearts with thy spirit, that our lives may show forth the praise of Him who created us, and redeemed us by the blood of His Son. Order, Literature, Music, Love, these shall assist thee, and our School shall be a Bible School. Thou art the Angel of the Sunday-school!
TABLEAU.
The Guard.—(Standing immediately in front of the throne, will sheath his sword, take off his hat, and say):
Order, Literature, Music, Love, let us bow in token of oursubmission to the Word of God. (They all kneel and the Angel of the Word of God holds the Bible out on her hand while the school rises and sings):
[[audio/mpeg]
The Bible
Full Chorus.1. The Bible! the Bible! more precious than gold,The hopes and the glories its pages unfold,It speaks of a Saviour, and tells of his love,It shows us the way to the mansions above.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!2. The Bible! the Bible! the valleys shall ring,And hillstops reecho the notes that we sing,Our banners, inscribed with its precepts and rules,Shall long wave in triumph the joy of our school.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!From the Sabbath Bell, No. 1, by permission ofBiglow & Mainowners of Copyright.]
Full Chorus.1. The Bible! the Bible! more precious than gold,The hopes and the glories its pages unfold,It speaks of a Saviour, and tells of his love,It shows us the way to the mansions above.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!2. The Bible! the Bible! the valleys shall ring,And hillstops reecho the notes that we sing,Our banners, inscribed with its precepts and rules,Shall long wave in triumph the joy of our school.Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!From the Sabbath Bell, No. 1, by permission ofBiglow & Mainowners of Copyright.]
Full Chorus.
1. The Bible! the Bible! more precious than gold,
The hopes and the glories its pages unfold,
It speaks of a Saviour, and tells of his love,
It shows us the way to the mansions above.
Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
Chorus.
Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
2. The Bible! the Bible! the valleys shall ring,And hillstops reecho the notes that we sing,Our banners, inscribed with its precepts and rules,Shall long wave in triumph the joy of our school.
2. The Bible! the Bible! the valleys shall ring,
And hillstops reecho the notes that we sing,
Our banners, inscribed with its precepts and rules,
Shall long wave in triumph the joy of our school.
Chorus.Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!From the Sabbath Bell, No. 1, by permission ofBiglow & Mainowners of Copyright.]
Chorus.
Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
From the Sabbath Bell, No. 1, by permission ofBiglow & Mainowners of Copyright.]
CURTAIN.
Rev.D. W. Gordon.