l\l- Cralrle aaoU department BY ELIZABETH W. SUDLOW , JUM 131921 BV 1537 .S82 1919 sudlow, Elizabeth W. ?Se cradle roll department ( iJUN 131921 X^ %0G i:i)e Crable EoU ©epartment BY / ELIZABETH W. SUDLOW !AL %l>lii^ 1919 THE WESTMINSTER PRESS PHILADELPHIA Copyright, 1915, By F. M. Braselman Contents; PAGE I. History 7 II. Organization 11 III. Congratulations 15 IV. Cradle Roll Assistants 18 V. Financing the Cradle Roll 25 VI. Securing New Members 28 VII. Advertising the Department 32 VIII. Records 34 IX. Wall Rolls '47 X. The Cradle 40 XI. Displ.\ying the Baby's Picture 42 XII. Remembering Birthdays 44 XIII . Cradle Roll Welcome 48 XIV. The Cradle Roll Class or Nursery 51 XV. When the Death Angel Comes ,56 XVI. Transferring a Cradle Roll Membkk 59 XVII. Promotion Day (H XVIII. Cradle Roll Day 1)9 XIX. Special Days 75 XX. Christmas 77 XXI. Souvenirs for Special Seasons 80 XXII. Cradle Roll Parties 86 XXIII. The Cradle Roll and Missions 90 XXIV. The Pastor and the Cradle Roll 93 XXV. A Mothers' Auxiliary 95 Appendix 105 jForeluorb The real purpose of the Cradle Roll is to secure co- operation between the home, the Sunday school, and the church in the training of the child during the first years of its life ; to bring to the parents a sense of their great responsibility toward the baby and its relation- ship to God and his Church at a time when their hearts are most tender, and to put upon the Church in a strong way its responsibility in caring for even the smallest of God's children. Through the Cradle Roll comes an unusual opportunity for personal work on the part of pastor and superintendent because of their easy access to the home and heart of parents through baby. This is particularly true where the family is not con- nected with any church organization. The lasting results in every branch of the work, however, depend, first, upon the spiritual life of the person in charge, and, second, upon the thoroughness of the organization. The chapters in this volume deal with methods whereby the Department, whether large or small, may be helped. The great, threefold principle underlying all this work is to help the baby, the home, and the school. The bab}^ is helped by the love we show it, and the strong influence of early church surroundings; the home by the interest not only in baby, but in every other 5 JforetDorb member of the family; the school by enlisting the inter- est of pupils of all ages in these little ones, and by in- creasing its membership in every department. No school is so small that it can afford to neglect this work, and no school is so large that it has outgrown the need of the babe "in the midst." Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me." How shall they come except they be brought? And it is the privilege of the Cradle Roll superintendent to invite them. Parents may be willing to allow their names to be enrolled because of the beautiful wall roll which is used, or because of the good times which are provided at the little parties. It may be through some special-day service that they have been brought into the church, or because of the birthday card or Httle holiday remembrance which baby has received. At any rate, baby is a member of the school, and as the result of its presence we find the parents and other members of the family with a deepened interest in things of a spiritual nature. In 1877 an Infant Class teacher in a Baptist school in Elizabeth, New Jersey, conceived the idea of gather- ing the names of the wee brothers and sisters of the little ones in her class and enrolling them in a birthday- book as an auxiliary to the Foreign Missionary Society of the church. About seven years later the organiza- tion was known as the Cradle Roll. The work spread from denomination to' denomination, until in 1889 it was mentioned at the International Sunday- School Convention held in Atlanta. Not much emphasis was placed upon the importance of the work, except that it was described as ''one strand of a threefold cord to bind the Sunday school to the home." The first official Cradle Roll report given at an International Sunday- School Convention was in Denver in 1902, when eleven hundred and sixteen departments were reported, with an unknown membership. Up to this time the Cradle Roll was considered not much more than a fad, a pretty, sentimental adjunct to the Primary Department. A certificate of membership, on which the names were inscribed, a birthday record book and some birthday cards were about all the equipment necessary. To procure the name of a baby, and to send the birthday card, was the chief duty of the Cradle Roll superin- 7 8 ^fje Crable l^oW department tendent. Cradle Roll certificates of membership were first used in the Tabernacle Presbyterian Sunday School of Indianapolis, Indiana. This was in 1896. Gradually the importance of the work, with its almost unlimited possibilities for reaching others, was under- stood, until now no well-organized school is considered complete unless it has a real, live, working Depart- ment. It is a very essential part of the Sunday-school and church life. As the work became better known it spread until, at the International Sunday-School Convention held in Chicago in 1914, over a million babies were reported as enrolled on 44,268 Cradle Rolls of North America. "Before this Brigade of sweet innocents, Old Evil can never stand!" Only babies! but how their influence has been felt in the Sunday-school world! Because baby was enrolled at birth, he attended school at an earlier age then formerly. The Primary teacher was troubled wdth the problem of presenting a lesson which equally suited the understanding and needs of a four- or five-year-old child and those twice that age. Her task had not been easy before this, with children of all ages up to ten or twelve to care for. The attendance of these little tots made it heavier, so Primary teachers asked for lessons suited to the years and understanding of the younger children. In 1902 the first recognized course of Beginners lessons was used. These worked so well, and the Primary teachers were able to accomplish their work so much I^isitorp more satisfactorily after the little ones were removed to a class by themselves, that they asked to be relieved of the older children, to form a Junior Department. Graded lessons have since been prepared for all these departments, Beginners, Primary, and Junior, and also for the teen years. When baby was on the Cradle Roll the parents were often aroused to feel their responsibility toward it and their need of Bible study, and to become members of the Home Department, thereby keeping in touch with the school. When baby was old enough to enter the Beginners Class, sometimes father or mother brought him to Sunday school and became members of the Bible classes. Many parents were in the school, but a great many more ought to have been there. Since the adult Bible class movement has been launched hosts of parents have been gathered in, and the influence of this banding together of Christian men and women has been felt throughout the entire nation. Of course, being identified with Sunday school means that the men, and women, too, will be active in all forward movements, and throw their united forces into the fight for prohibition, clean government and everything else that leads to a better civic life. Naturally, as a part of the Sunday school, they are interested in missions, and so the gospel is being carried to the ''uttermost part" more rapidly because of baby's having become a member of the Sunday school. Sunday schools now demand trained teachers, but even teachers trained to the highest point of efficiency 10 tE^ije Crablc i^oll department accomplish but a small part of what they set out to do unless the parents cooperate. Therefore community training schools have developed where Sunday-school teachers, public-school teachers and parents unite in a systematic study of the Book, the methods and the child, and endeavor to make conditions more ideal for bringing up the child in the way he should go. A part of the whole of this great structure is the baby. Neglect the Cradle Roll and the effect will be felt throughout every department of the school. n Organisation "Methods are many, principles are few; Methods may vary, principles never do." Of the multitude of organizations of which the Church is composed to-day, there is none more in^ortant, more deserving. of the highest type of service, more far-reach- ing in its influence, than the Cradle Roll. The methods employed in carrying on the work are many, uut very elastic. They may be made to fit any school, large or small, city or rural. The principles underlying the work are the same everywhere, and never vary; first, to surround the baby in the first impressionable years of his life with Christian influences; second, to aid the parents to a proper understanding of their great re- sponsibility toward the child and toward the Church; and third, to bring the Church to a fuller reahzation of its mission toward the children in its midst. Although the methods herein described may seem appropriate only to the larger school, practically all are capable of being adapted to suit the requirements of the small school. Indeed, reports from schools all over the country have shown that progressive work is to be found in many smaller schools, and in the rural districts Cradle Roll superintendents are doing most excellent work. 11 12 Cte Crable 3^oU department Large numbers do not always indicate a well-managed Department. Much better a smaller number enrolled, and these looked after personally, than a larger number of names and the roll circularized. Quality, not quantity, should be the aim of the superintendent. Large numbers are desirable, and the Department may be so organized as to care faithfully for any number, but do not make the mistake of enrolling a baby just for the sake of having one more name to report, and then neglect the personal contact which is so essential if the Department is to live up to its opportunity. Cradle Roll Departments with but a single baby en- rolled are not uncommon, and where the school is located in a sparsely settled community and there is only one baby to enroll, it speaks well for the enterprise of those in charge to have a Cradle Roll for this one baby. In the family life is the only child provided for less Hberally than where there are several to share with it? In the sight of the Father, is not the one baby of as much importance as the many? Cradle Roll Departments numbering from five hun- dred to a thousand babies are scattered throughout the country, and those numbering over a hundred are very numerous. The same principles apply to these as to the smaller organizations. Cradle Roll ideals were presented during the Inter- national Sunday-School Convention held in Chicago in 1914, resulting later in the following suggestions, which state the aim and mention the means of reaching the aim. C^r sanitation 13 CRADLE ROLL AIM AND METHODS That the church and Sunday school may cooperate with parents in providing early religious influence through the atmosphere and training of the home it is desirable — 1. To organize a Cradle Roll Department for little children from birth to three (sometimes four) years of age— (a) With a Cradle Roll superintendent and addi- tional helpers as may be needed. (b) By a public record of names and permanent card index or book record, including baby's name, address, birthday, age, parents' names, promotions, and so forth. (c) By a systematic effort to secure members and prompt recognition of membership in the Sun- day school. (d) By registration of all removals and the cause. (e) By public promotion not later than the fourth birthday * to the Beginners Class or Depart- ment. (f) By a Cradle Roll class in the Beginners De- partment if children attend before formal promotion. 2. To manifest a living individual interest — (a) By visiting the babies and their parents in the homes. * Cradle Roll membership ceases after the fourth birthday. Even if Sunday-school attendance is impossible, transfer should be made to the supervision of the Beginners superintendent or teacher. 14 ^f)t Crable ^oU department (b) By prompt recognition of birthdays. (c) By suitable remembrance in case of sickness or death. (d) By a Cradle Roll Day annually. (e) By a welcome to babies as visitors whenever present. (f) By invitations to babies and friends on special days. 3. To promote sociability and help for parents — (a) By an occasional social affair for parents and babies. (b) By mothers' meetings and literature pertain- ing to baby's care and training. (c) By parents' class in Sunday school. m Congratulations; A little attention that is much appreciated by a new mother, as well as by other members of the family, is to offer congratulations when baby is born. This is done in various ways. A few flowers may accompany the apphcation card, or they may be sent alone, fol- lowed by a visit from the superintendent as soon as the mother is able to see her. At this time she will get baby's name for the roll. Or, if the name has already been sent in to the superintendent, the visit may be the occasion for delivering the certificate. One superintendent who has been very successful in enrolling every baby in the community upon her roll has a regular '^follow-up" system. A little personal note of congratulation is first sent to the parents, followed by an invitation to join the Cradle Roll. These are always WTitten, and on note paper suited in color to the little one — blue if the baby is a girl, and pink when the baby is a boy. "We have heard that a baby, all dainty and fair, From the arms of the angels has come now to share In your home; and we know that your joys will o'erflow As you welcome this babe to his (her) home here below. We would welcome him, too, we would share your delight, On our white Cradle Roll this name we would write. Won't you let us enroll him for Jesus to-day And thus start his feet toward the Sunday-school way?" 15 16 ^fje Crable 3^011 department This invitation is followed by the application card, then a personal call, and after baby's name is received, by the certificate. By this time the parents appreciate the fact that baby is really wanted in the Sunday school, and are thoroughly interested in at least one depart- ment of it. A flower fund, toward which each mother contributes a penny a month, may be used to purchase flowers for the mother when a new baby arrives. The flowers are sent, with a card of congratulation, in the name of all the other mothers on the Cradle Roll. Tiny note paper three inches square, edged in baby blue, with envelope to match and about half the size, is used by one superintendent. The words, "With sincere congratulations," are engraved, and the little note when filled in reads: Mr. and Mrs. Brown. With Sincere Congratulations to you from Miss Kellogg, Superintendent Cradle Roll, First Presbyterian Sunday School This note is followed later by a visit from the super- intendent. A pretty form of congratulation is a little homemade booklet in which a poem on motherhood is copied, the pages being illustrated with pictures of tiny baby faces. The cover is decorated with a suitable baby picture. On a little card may be pasted a poem suitable for the occasion, many of which are to be found in the Cradle Consratulationjf 17 Roll and mothers' magazines of the day. This is dec- orated along the edge with baby faces. The superin- tendent writes a little message on the back. A copy of some Madonna picture, which may be had at very little cost, is another good gift for the new mother. One superintendent gives to each new mother a Baby Record Book. IT Crable Jaoll ^^^i^tmt^ The Cradle Roll needs so much personal attention that the superintendent requires assistance in caring for it. A secretary who takes care of the birthday cards and sees that they are delivered on time, and who also does certain parts of the clerical work, is a good assist- ant. A school girl will take pride in keeping the records clear and complete, in preparing birthday cards for the superintendent to sign, and in sending out notices, invitations and other things of this kind. Perhaps an invalid with strength enough to take care of this part of the work would be thankful for the opportunity of serving in this way. Where there is a Home Department connected with the school, names of babies may be secured from the visitors. Indeed, one set of visitors may be used for both departments. A visitor or assistant superintendent may be ap- pointed whose duty it is to deliver the birthday cards. The superintendent and helpers prepare them a month in advance and give them to the assistant. "Little Mothers," one of the most popular organiza- tions of Cradle Roll helpers, is composed of girls from the Primary or Junior departments. In some schools 18 Crablc 3^o\\ ^i^i^trntu 19 the boys have asked for something to do, so they are called ^'Little Fathers." ''Cradle Roll Brothers" and "Cradle Roll Sisters" perform the same duties as the ''Little Mothers" and "Little Fathers," and so do members of the "Cradle Roll Messenger Corps," which has been found efficient in so many schools. Here is the experience of a superintendent who has successfully used " Little Mothers " : "As soon as a new baby is heard of or is enrolled I appoint a girl from the Junior Department as its 'Cradle Roll Mother.' She continues to act in this capacity until baby is old enough to enter the Beginners Class. She is often the person who brings him to Sunday school until he is old enough to come by himself, and to any special Cradle Roll service or party if the mother is unable to attend. Or she accompanies the real mother, sharing with her the honors of the day, as well as the care of baby. This 'Little Mother' acts as messenger between baby and me, delivering messages, birthday cards. Cradle Roll paper and invitations to all Cradle Roll events. This reduces the expense for postage. Some- times there are not 'Little Mothers' enough to go around, and then I call on the older girls of the Primary Department. When it happens, as it has on several occasions, that there is still a shortage, I give the new baby, if it is very young, to a 'Little Mother' whose charge will soon be graduating. The girls are most enthusiastic over their part in the Cradle Roll work; it is something they can do, and is helping to fit them to take their places in the church later on." 20 Cfje Crable 3^oU department Some of the ways in which these httle assistants may- help: Every month they deliver a Cradle Roll paper to the mothers. They deliver all invitations to parents and babies. They notify the superintendent if baby is sick. They often bring an older baby to Sunday school on its birth- day, or else bring the birthday offering. They meet on week days and make all sorts of pretty little things for the babies, valentines, Christmas cards, May baskets, Easter cards and such souvenirs. Many pray for their babies every day. Pretty certificates stating: *' is Cradle Roll mother to Baby " may be had from the publishing houses, or the superintendent may make them. A ''Cradle Roll Band" is an organization of girls chosen from the Junior Department, and the work is much the same as that of the ''Little Mothers." One superintendent sent the Band out on a "Baby Hunt," and so successful were the girls in rounding up the stray babies that within a few weeks they had doubled the membership. A business meeting of the Band is held once a month, at which time the girls tell all about the babies whom they have visited. Each girl delivers the Cradle Roll papers to her group, so every home is visited at least once a month. Some superintendents employ only boys as assist- ants. They are organized as a "Cradle Roll Messenger Corps. " The members, chosen from the Intermediate Department, cheerfully perform any duty to which they are assigned. The boys report to the superin- tendent at the close of Sunday school each week. Crable aaoU ^sfgis;tant£f 21 Often superintendents, when looking for some one to help with the detail work, overlook the most enthusi- astic and faithful of assistants, girls from the Inter- mediate Department. They work well under the direction of an older person, and do much that is done by the younger children; help to arrange programs for special services, plan unique parties, take charge of the decorations, and even care for the babies during the hour of morning worship so that the mothers may attend the service. And when it comes to making gifts and souvenirs for baby, no one can turn out nicer-looking trifles than these girls. If no superintendent can be found for the Cradle Roll, a girls' class may assume full responsibility. One girl will act as superintendent, one as enrollment secretary, another as birthday secretary, and each of the others will have some definite duty to perform. In a graded school, a superintendent found in each department one person who would act as '^ Cradle Roll Agent." These agents are supplied with notebooks, and in them they record information concerning baby. The books are inspected regularly. Another class of helpers, taken from among the adults, is Division Superintendents, or Visitors. When a Cradle Roll numbers more than twenty, more than one person is needed to do the visiting. One method is to have three assistants ; one each for the one-, two-, and three-year-old babies. The superintendent has general oversight of the whole Department, looks after the records, and with helpers prepares birthday cards 22 tKlje Crable i^oU Bepattment and such things, but the actual visiting will be done by the Division Superintendents. It would be an advantage if the teacher of the Beginners Class were secured as visitor for the three-year-olds, as an ac- quaintance with her future pupils could thus be made in the home. Another plan calls for four assistants. One quarter of the year is assigned to each. The four work together at all times, but each quarter the chairman is changed, thus distributing the responsibility. The superin- tendent is in charge of the clerical work, and oversees the whole. Birthday cards, as far as possible, are made out a quarter in advance, and given to the proper chair- man. She, in turn, assigns to the other three helpers some of these cards for delivery. Whenever possible the superintendent accompanies the assistant when a certificate is to be delivered, so that she may become acquainted with the new baby and mother. Every quarter something of a social nature is given, the chair- man for that quarter being hostess. The superintendent may enlist the aid of a number of ladies, each of whom agrees to visit five babies during the month. Return post cards are helpful in this work. One side may read. Will you please call on the following babies during the month of and report on attached card before . Please add any information concerning these families you deem advisable for me or the pastor to know. The reverse side may read, Crable iaoll ^^^i^tant^ 23 As requested, I have called on these babies. Date of call Remarks : Signed- The names and addresses are filled in by the superin- tendent before mailing the card to the visitors. Other plans are to appoint six, ten, twelve or as many assistants as may be necessary to cover, the territory occupied by the church members. This is divided into districts, and a visitor put in charge of each. These visitors do the same kind of work as the '^ Little Mothers," only on a larger scale. All invitations, papers, birthday cards and such things are delivered personally, and the visitor becomes quite well ac- quainted with mothers and babies in the course of a year. Babies living near together are grouped so as to make the work easy. Sometimes only ten babies are given to a visitor; when new names are added to the roll, new visitors are appointed to look after them. A business meeting is held once a month at the home of the superintendent or of one of the visitors. As this is a business meeting, it should be businesslike and opened on time. Open with devotions: a Scripture reading and prayer by the superintendent or one of the visitors, closing with the little Cradle Roll prayer in which all join. Ask each visitor for a report. If this is written, better work is apt to be done than where no 24 tEije Crable i^oll department definite statement of what has been accomplished is expected. From these reports the superintendent compiles a complete report for the school. A good re- port covers the following items: How many babies have you in your division? How many of these babies have you called on? How many mothers in your division? How many of these mothers are Christians? How many are members of our church? How many are members of no church? How many calls have you made this month? How many new names have you secured? How many families interested? How many lost by death? How many transferred to another division? How many moved from the city? Total number of babies now in your division? How many birthday cards delivered? How many certificates of membership dehvered? How much money received this month? What are your expenses for the month? Jfinancing tfte Crable J&oll There are certain expenses that must necessarily be incurred by a Cradle Roll Department. How shall these be met? Wherever possible all bills should go through the hands of the treasurer of the school. The superintendent may then make a contribution to the general Sunday-school fund large enough to cover these, or as large as she cares to. Thus the cost of the Cradle Roll is on record. Another way to secure funds is to give the parents an opportunity to contribute. It is possible for the Cradle Roll Department to be too dependent, and some parents object to this. The Cradle Roll work ^\dll have greater dignity if it is, in part at least, self-sustaining. By presenting to the parents a plan of systematic offer- ings, their cooperation will undoubtedly be secured. Regular offering envelopes are to be had in several de- signs. Small cradle-shaped banks are sometimes used to hold the offerings. These are opened once a year or oftener. An annual party to which the babies are invited to bring their banks is a good time to open them. But even where systematic contributions are made, 25 26 V^f)t Crable 3^oU department the expense of the Department may exceed these, so other ways of raising funds must be employed. Cradle Roll work is usually popular with the Ladies' Aid Society. A part of the regular work meetings may be devoted to sewing for children under three years of age, and the clothing sold to the mothers at reasonable figures, the profit being credited to the Cradle Roll. The mothers themselves at their monthly meetings may sew quilt blocks or carpet rags to be woven into rugs. The sale of these will bring in a nice sum for the treasury. One superintendent invited the mothers to make a freewill offering toward the expense of the Depart- ment. Several times during the year a Cradle Roll party is given. At the bottom of the invitation is this note: ''An opportunity will be given during the after- noon to contribute toward our Cradle Roll if you so wish." At the close of the program the superintendent calls attention to a little cradle-shaped bank standing on a table, stating that any who so desire may make an offering for the work. It has been the experience of this superintendent that the mothers feel better about accepting the privileges of the Cradle Roll for their children when they can help to defray the expense of the work. Still another way is to take a special Cradle Roll offering at one of the church services, say on Cradle Roll Sunday. The use of mite boxes is common, one being given to baby at the time of enrollment. The Cradle Roll may Jfinancing tf)e Crable l^oll 27 have a special missionary object of its own to which these offerings are sent, or may join with the other departments in some work. In such a case, it should be made plain to the parents that the money is not to be used for the work of the Department, but is missionary money. VI One way for the newly appointed superintendent to secure new members is to get from the pastor a list of the babies of the church families. Select as many helpers as you think will be sufficient, and invite them to meet at your home or some other convenient place. Present your Cradle Roll plans as clearly as possible. Try to put some of your own enthusiasm into these helpers. Then ask for volunteers to visit the mothers. Set a definite time in which this work is to be done, and arrange for a public service when these new members will be welcomed into the membership of the school. Provide plenty of application cards for the visitors. After canvassing, let the visitors meet again and hand in their reports. It is well, on the Sunday before the canvass is made, to have the pastor explain publicly from the pulpit the meaning of the work, and urge the parents to enroll the little ones. The superintendent may prefer to go before the school, telling of the proposed Department, and asking help from all, big and little, in securing names of babies in the neighborhood. Still another method is to provide each teacher with application cards, to secure from their pupils the names 28 Securing i^eto JHemberjf 29 of the baby brothers and sisters. The superintendent, when the cards are returned to her, visits each child. When the Cradle Roll is organized, many are the plans whereby the membership may be increased. More can be accomplished if a definite number is the aim. A membership campaign to last for a definite period is one way of reaching every baby in a com- munity. Set an aim for the school, such as to double the enrollment of the Cradle Roll within a given time. Enthusiasm is aroused throughout the different depart- ments, and when frequent reports are given as to the way in which the membership is growing, interest is maintained until the close. It is always easy to interest the Primary and Junior children in the Cradle Roll. A contest may be carried on between the boys and girls of a department, or be- tween two departments. Let each side choose a cap- tain, to add dignity and importance to the contest. Let each side wear a button or knot of ribbon through- out the contest. On a long sheet of paper, ruled dowTi the center, place the names of everyone bringing a name for the Cradle Roll. At the close the superin- tendent might give some little entertainment for the winners, or for both sides, if they have worked well, and have the winners "guests of honor." Once a quarter, or once a year, in every department of the school. Cradle Roll work may be emphasized, and for a week, or a month, everyone in the whole school work for that Department. A successful plan used by a superintendent in a 30 tlTfje Crable 3^oU Bepattment church where many strangers attended was to have a rubber stamp which read, "Welcome! We are glad to have you here to-day. If there is a BABY in your home will you not sign this card and hand it to the usher or leave it in the rack? Cradle Roll Superintendent. Several hundred enrollment cards were stamped with this message and given to the ushers, with instructions to hand them to all strangers. Many names were secured in this way, and strangers were made to feel that the church had an interest in them, for all signed cards were first given the pastor, so that he might know about the family. Many Cradle Roll Departments depend almost entirely upon the children of the Beginners and Primary departments to bring in new names. The Cradle Roll superintendent is present on Sunday during the open- ing service and a few minutes are devoted to the Cradle Roll, at which time names are handed in. Often the Cradle Roll and Home Department super- intendents work together. The one can furnish names of eligible members for the Cradle Roll, while the other may be able to interest the parents in the Home De- partment. But what about localities where there are no babies? There may be only one or two under three years of age in a whole church community. In this event, go after one in some distant mission school and enroll it. Remember the birthday, and other special occasions. Securing Mt\i) JHembersf 31 and see if the babies already on the roll cannot be inter- ested, through their parents, to contribute toward its support. A little Indian, or African, or Chinese or- phan on your Cradle Roll makes an interesting member. In a graded school where many of the departments meet alone for the entire service, the Cradle Roll superintendent may arrange with the other superin- tendents for a few minutes of either the opening or clos- ing sessions. At this time she will display the cradle, and give a brief report of the membership and condition of the Department, and ask for new names. Whatever method may be employed it is well to bear in mind that a personal visit by the superintendent or assistant as soon as possible after the name has been handed in is essential. Personal visitation is what counts. And often when visiting the babies the super- intendent has opportunity to invite other members of the family to attend some department of the school. Perhaps the names of all over Cradle Roll age might be taken, if the family is not one connected with the church, and this list given to the enrollment secretary of the school, or to the superintendents of such depart- ments as the children properly belong to — they in turn looking them up and adding an invitation to that al- ready extended by the Cradle Roll superintendent. vn abbertifi^ing tjje department A good way for the superintendent to advertise this Department is by attending all teachers' meetings and workers' conferences, and cooperating with the school in every way possible. She should know what is going on in the school, some of the difficulties under which the teachers are laboring, and what new plans are under consideration. Thus, when visiting in the homes, she can speak more inteUigently upon general conditions. Then, too, the officers and teachers should know about her Department, what has been done in the past, what she hopes to bring to pass in the future, and in what ways she needs their help. She should be prepared to give a definite and businesslike report. When the superintendent takes enough interest in the school of which her Cradle Roll is a part to do this, then is she well advertising the Department. An occasional item in the church bulletin is a good way of keeping the Cradle Roll before the church members. This may be only a quotation bearing on the value of the child, or a statistical report of membership, re- movals, new members, calls made, parties held, or any- thing else of interest. One church prints the pictures of all the members on a cover once a year. Another gives the names, addresses and birthday of each baby. 32 ^bberti£iing tfje department 33 Others print a picture of the Cradle Roll on the cover, give information as to the purpose and plan of the work, with names of superintendents and assistants, and ask that new names be handed to them. The church bulletin board is another place where Cradle Roll news may be displayed and the Depart- ment well advertised. A report of the Department, together with names and pictures of such of the babies as will have birthdays during the coming week, always attracts attention. Prepare a report at least quarterlj^ for the school secretary to incorporate with that of the school. Flower seeds may be given out at Easter time, with the request that the recipient cultivate a Cradle Roll flower bed, the flowers to be used to decorate the church on some special Sunday. Cradle Roll pennants and mottoes displayed in the Sunday-school auditorium help to keep the Depart- ment in mind, and so do wall rolls. These may be made in any number of attractive styles. Pictures of the babies prominently displayed in church auditoriums, vestibules or schoolrooms are one of the very best mediums of advertising. Sometimes these are arranged in one or more large frames. Often a frieze of them is found on the wall of the vestibule, where anyone enter- ing the church must see them. Frequent parties help to keep the Cradle Roll before the parents and friends, and a procession of gocarts and baby carriages all moving in one direction on a certain day will advertise the Department. 3 vni Cradle Roll Department records will make valuable history in the years to come, and should be as complete as possible. A complete record should be kept of every baby from the date of enrollment to the time of transfer or pro- motion. This should give date of birth, age at time of enrollment, parents' names, address, telephone number, whether parents are members of church or not, and date of enrollment and transfer. In addition, a record of all remembrances sent baby should be kept, in order that no duplicates shall be given. Baby's attendance at Sunday school, Cradle Roll parties, special services and other occasions may be recorded, and when baby is promoted to the Beginners Class a little statement showing his record for attendance at all these services may be given with his certificate. Some superintendents use a blank book in which to record the names and birthdays, using a page for each month. Another method is to use two books, one arranged alphabetically for the name, address, and other information, and a birthday book by which to keep track of the birthdays. Where the record book is used, it is well to give at least a page to each baby, 34 i^ecortrs; 35 and to note such information concerning baby and family as may be of assistance in helping the super- intendent to reach them. This is really a baby history book, and is used by some superintendents even where other records are kept. Perhaps the best and most practical of all record-keep- ing systems for use in the Cradle Roll Department is the card index. The outfit consists of a box and a quantity of individual record cards, also a set of monthly guide cards. The cards are so arranged that all the necessary information may be written in blank spaces, while the date of birth is given on the top line. The cards are filed behind the monthly guide card, and it is a very simple matter each week or month for the super- intendent to remove the cards and prepare her birth- day remembrances. Another advantage in using a card index is that all cards of children not on the active roll may be removed and filed in a separate division, thus keeping the record up to date. The business end of the Department requires some attention. The money used for supplies, and the supplies which the money represents, belongs to the school and should be accounted for. Once a quarter the superintendent should prepare for the secretary of the school a report of the work done in the Cradle Roll Department. This will be read pubhcly. Printed blanks to use for this purpose may be obtained from the supply houses, or each school may prefer to use a form of its own. A blank used in a large school gives the following information: ^(je Crable i^oU department 1. Total number enrolled at be'ginning of last month. 2. Number entering school during past month. 3. Number dropped from roll during past month — also reason. 4. Number new members enrolled during past month. 5. Number of visits made during past month. • 6. Number of members and parents visiting school during past month. 7. Number having birthdays, and number paying birthday offering. These reports form a part of the permanent records of the school. IX Hall moll£ A wall roll of the babies should be displayed in the Beginners room, so that it may be readily examined by anyone. Give it a place of its own, where it may be seen from any part of the room. In some schools it is customary to remove from the roll the names of those who are no longer members. Again, the names are left on and removal is marked by a symbol of some sort. Gummed stickers may be pur- chased for this purpose. A tiny pink rosebud placed opposite the name means that the child has graduated into the Beginners Class. A little train shows that baby has left the community, and a white angel indi- cates that baby has gone above. Colored stars are also used for the same purpose. A little flag may indicate promotion; a tiny bow of white ribbon that baby has died, and a star shows that baby has moved away. Wall rolls in twelve parts, each showing a special design appropriate for one month of the year, or twelve small cards mounted on a large card, are good. The name and birthday of each baby may be written under- neath its birth month, or the babies may be listed by the day of birth on seven sheets of cardboard, each having printed across the top one line of the old poem: 37 38 tE^fje Ctable l^oll department "The child that is bom on the Sabbath Day- Is bhthe and bonny and good and gay. Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace. Wednesday's child need fear no foe, Thursday's child has far to go. Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child must work for its living." Heart-shaped rolls are always popular. Twelve hearts may be outlined on a sheet of cardboard, the edges tinted with water colors, and the name of a month printed on each; or small hearts, each bearing the name of a baby, may be suspended by ribbons from a brass curtain rod fastened to the wall of the schoolroom. Another good heart idea, capable of development in a number of ways, shows a large heart with a border of baby faces, either pictures cut from magazines or amateur ''snaps" of the Cradle Roll members. The names are written on the face of the heart, or on smaller hearts suspended from it. Still another ''heart roll" shows four hearts outlined in green on a large sheet of white cardboard. The hearts join in the center, thus making a pretty good four-leaf clover. In the upper heart is a group of baby faces and the words "Cradle Roll." "They were bringing unto him also their babes." Luke 18:15. The other three hearts are decorated with baby pictures. One contains the names of the babies under a year; another those of the two-year-olds, and the third has the little three-year-olds. The names are written on slips of gummed paper, and are easily transferred from one section to another. Mall Bolls; 39 A more elaborate roll is a double heart, made of wood, the two parts being hinged together, the upper cut down the center so that it may swing open like a pair of doors. The inside heart is covered with small paper or cardboard hearts, of two sizes, strung on rib- bons. On the larger of these is pasted a picture of a baby, with name and date written underneath, and on the smaller hearts are shown the name and date only. The outside heart is decorated with a spray of flowers, and the two doors are fastened with a little brass catch. When a new name is to be entered, the doors are opened and the children recite, ''We welcome you with open heart, Because we love you so; See how the doors will swing apart And in your name will go." The heart stands on an easel, and when needed for a public service can very easily be carried from one place to another. This same idea has been copied in a much cheaper form by using cardboard hearts and fastening with ribbons, and although not so durable as the wooden roll, it is very pretty. A style quite common is to mount a copy of some good painting of Christ and little children in the center of a sheet of cardboard, and suspend by ribbons from the lower edge small name cards of any desired shape. Sometimes a border of baby faces is made around the center picture. Or, instead of the big picture, a blank space is left in which the names are written. The words "Our Cradle Roll" may be printed across the top. Wi}t Crable The styles and kinds of cradles are about as numerous and varied as are the wall rolls. Although the cradle ought not to supplant the wall roll, it may be used as a supplement to it. Name cards may be tied to the sides. These cards may be secured from pubhshers of Sunday- school supphes in blue and pink cardboard, with hole ready punched in one end, through which a ribbon may be run. Or little white cards are suitable, these to be tied with white, pink, or blue ribbons. The most common style is a white enameled wooden cradle, the tops of the corner posts finished in gilt, about eighteen inches long by ten inches wide, and eleven inches high. A fancy mattress and pillow are all the furnishings necessary. Sometimes the name of the school and Department are embroidered on the pillow or mattress. A homemade wooden cradle may be the work of a boy who wants to be useful. Little rockers are some- times added to a grape basket, and the cradle trimmed in a pretty manner. ''Lullaby Cradles" large enough to hold a baby are growing in popularity. With them the pretty ''rock- ing service" used when a new baby is entered is carried out. Ribbons are fastened to the four corners, and 40 trfjc Crable 41 when in use during a service four children hold the ribbons and gently sway the cradle as the welcome song is sung. In some schools the only cradle used is a cradle- shaped bank. This is to hold the birthday offering of the babies. As the cradle is the emblem of the Department, care must be taken of it, so that it be kept fresh and dainty. The ribbons and furnishings have to be renewed oc- casionally and everything freshened up. In the room where the Cradle Roll exercises are held a table should be provided for the cradle, and this covered ^dth a pretty cloth, either matching in color the lining of the cradle or else pure white. A box in which to keep the cradle between Sundays is also necessary. XI Bfeplaping tlje ?Babp*s; picture A plan which is growing in popularity is to display photographs of the babies. Many parents will be glad to give a picture, or the visitor may take her camera along and get a snap of baby. Often a photog- rapher will take a picture of baby for the Cradle Roll display free of charge; or he may make special rates on baby pictures, one copy to be furnished free to the superintendent. Again, he may agree to supply a certain kind of picture to all babies so that there will be uniformity in the photographs. One good picture display shows the photographs mounted on a large card, grouped around a beautiful print of Christ and Httle children. Underneath, in fine lettering, is the text, ''He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom.'' Across the top are the words, ''It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." A group picture of the babies may be taken once a year at a party, or a picture of the graduates only. These may be framed and hung on the wall of the schoolroom. A pretty display in a Beginners room shows a mold- ing running entirely around the room, about four feet 42 from the floor. From this are hung pictures, and the like, pertaining to the work of the Department. Above the molding is a border of roses — just wall paper hav- ing a pretty rose design in dehcate shades of pink. In the center of each rose is pasted the picture of a baby on the Cradle Roll, with name and age written beside it. An ordinary hoop, covered with a tightly stretched piece of black sateen, makes a very good backgrojind for displaying pictures, and so does a discarded banner, when covered with some pretty material. xn JRemembering J5irtf)baj>s? The attention shown the baby at special seasons, such as Christmas and Easter, will be appreciated by the child's parents, but when baby is given a letter or card on the birthday, the Cradle Roll has indeed won a place in their hearts. There are on the market a number of birthday cards for the Cradle Roll Department, and these usually run in a series for one-, two-, and three-year-old children. Whatever style you select, let it be the best you can afford. Notice the sentiment on each, and get some- thing that is appropriate. It is not the value of the card which makes some more precious than others, but the personal message which the superintendent adds. If, instead of circu- larizing the Cradle Roll by simply sending a printed card, no matter how pretty, the superintendent adds a Httle message, it will hft the card out of the everyday into the special, individual class. The pastor may sign the card, in addition to the superintendent, and also add a message. Where the cards are to be delivered by messenger, one, two, or three little gilt or colored stars may be placed, instead of a stamp, in the corner of the envelope, to designate the number of years; or tie a flower to the card. 44 ^Remembering JBirtfjbaps; 45 A birthday record of some sort is necessary. A plain blank book may be used, giving one or more pages to each month, baby's name and birthday being entered under the proper heading. Record books may be purchased from any of the supply houses ready ruled. A card index is good. These also may be had in several styles. Great harm may be done through overlooking the birthdays. Be very careful to have every card dehvered on time. One received several days late is hke a warmed-over dinner: it has lost its savor. The safe and sure way to avoid such an oc- currence is to prepare the cards a week or a month in advance. On a calendar mark the day on which they are to be sent. Instead of stamping the card so long in advance of mailing, some superintendents prefer to prepare them on the first day of the month, and in the stamp corner write the date of the birthday. These are arranged according to the dates, and the day before the birthday the stamp is affixed and the card mailed. A little rebus or form letter, which is varied slightly to suit the individual child, may be used. This is written on dainty note paper, decorated with tiny baby faces. For the first birthday one wee head is used; for the second, two of a slightly older child, and for the third, three pictures of a child of about that age. The envelope is sealed with one or more pictures to correspond with those used on the letter. Some superintendents prefer to make their own birth- day cards. A card decorated with a cut-out picture 46 ^fje Crable i^oU 3iepartment appropriate to the birth month, and underneath a birthday wish, is good. A pleasing custom is to give to each baby, with its card, a tiny potted plant. These may be purchased from a florist, but some superintendents prefer to raise their own. A geranium is a good gift for a winter baby, and a pansy for the summer baby. A pretty way of celebrating the birthday, where the superintendent is able to do so, is to take mother and baby for a drive. The drive may be made in a carriage or in an automobile. Baby should always be invited to attend Sunday school on the Sunday nearest its birthday, when the birthday song is sung in its honor and the birthday prayer offered. A service used when baby is not present, but is rep- resented by a '^Little Helper "^ — whether it be of a Little Mother, Father, Sister, or Brother, according to the name by which this Band is known — is for this *' Little Helper " to drop into the birthday bank the cor- rect number of pennies, and then, at a chord from the piano, all the other children rise [and sing a verse of a birthday song. While the heads are bowed the children repeat — "We thank thee, heavenly Father, For all thy loving care That thou hast given Mary At home, and everywhere. For years thou hast guarded her At home, asleep, at play, Oh, Father, bless and care for her On this, and every day." ^Remembering K^irtfjtJapg 47 Then the superintendent asks, "What shall we say to Baby Mary?" The children reply, "We hope she will have many happy birthdays." Not infrequently superintendents give birthday parties to the little ones — perhaps these may be held once a month for all the babies born in that month; sometimes once a quarter is as often as the little ones can be brought together. An annual birthday party to which all the babies come is another way. Twelve ladies assist the superintendent, each providing a tiny souvenir, some refreshments, and a number for the program appropriate to their month. As the babies arrive they are escorted to their proper p^ace, where they meet all the other babies born in the same month. Or, instead of having twelve groups, it may be called a Day Party, and the babies grouped according to the day of their birth. A birthday secretary may be of great assistance to the superintendent. She will keep track of all the birthdays, the kind of remembrances sent, and prepare all cards for the superintendent to sign. Before the third birthday she will notify the superintendent, so that a personal note of invitation to join the Beginners Class may be sent, or a call made upon baby. XIII Crable aaoU Welcome When a new member is entered on the Cradle Roll the event should be marked by some pubHc recognition. This recognition, or enrollment service, usually takes place in the Beginners or Primary room, and may con- sist of four parts: song, welcome, charge to older chil- dren to care for this new baby, and prayer. If the Cradle Roll superintendent is present each Sunday, she will conduct this part of the service. In her absence the regular Department superintendent will do it. The child who has brought the enrollment card brings it forward, or, where the names are secured in other ways, the superintendent announces that a baby is to be welcomed. Sometimes the name is read, the chil- dren repeating it several times so that they may be- come familiar with it. Then they stand and sing: "There are blessings from God all about us; We should thank him for gifts large and small, But his gift of a dear little baby, Needs the very best thank you of all. Bye-lo, bye-lo, bye-lo, bye-lo-bye." — From " Carols," published by the Leyda Publishing Company, Chicago. The familiar welcome song of Julia Johnston is popu- lar, and is sung to the tune '' Little Drops of Water." This follows the lullaby: 48 Crablc EoU iHekome 49 "Welcome, precious baby, To our Cradle Roll; Here a place is waiting P'or each tiny soul. "On the earth our Saviour Little children blessed; In his arms he took them — Held them to his breast. "Still he calls them to him, No one is too small, For the tender Shepherd Loves and wants us all." When the baby is a bo3% then to the boys is given the charge to care for it, and they repeat in concert this little prayer; "Heavenly Father, bless this baby, Guide his tender little feet; May we older boys all help him To grow gentle, kind and sweet. Amen," If the bab}^ is a girl, then the girls are charged with its care, and the pronouns changed. At the close a prayer is offered for this new baby and all the others on the Cradle Roll: "Bless all our Cradle Babies, Wherever they may be; Although in homes so scattered. Thou everyone dost see. We love them, and thou lovest them, Oh, may they grow to be A band of httle Christians, Obedient, Lord, to thee. Amen." Frequently the little cradle is used in connection with the enrollment service. Sometimes a small 50 ^!)e Crablc 3^oU department cradle to be used for just this purpose is provided, and then it is trimmed with bows of pink ribbon. The card bearing the name of the new member is placed in the cradle, and the children say, "Little cradle, do you think. With your pretty bows of pink You can faithful be, and true. To this name we trust to you? "As we place it gently there We will breathe a loving prayer, That this little baby face In our school may find a place." This is instead of the charge to the boys or girls. Where there is room the children may gather around the cradle, and at the second verse kneel and offer it as a prayer. A very simple service is to place the name card in the cradle while the children sing a song and repeat a little Cradle Roll prayer. A welcome service in which the baby is placed in the cradle is good. While the welcome is sung and prayer offered, the cradle is gently swung back and forth by four little ones who hold ribbons fastened to the corners. When no new name is added to the roll, the fellow- ship service should each Sunday include some reference to the Cradle Roll. This keeps the Department before the children. Sometimes a lullaby is sung and a prayer offered. When a baby is to be welcomed, the parents and friends are invited to be present during the service, and where baby is brought, a little card, flower or other soavenir is given it. XIV tKlje Crable JRoU €la^^ or J^ursferp In some schools a room is provided where the Cradle Roll can assemble, just as the other departments assemble. On the wall are displayed the roll and pictures of the babies, Cradle Roll pennants and banners, or mottoes. A bright sunny room is preferable. The room should be well ventilated and easy to heat in cold weather. A low table of some kind and tmy chairs are almost a necessity. A shallow sand tray around which a number can sit is very good, or the regular kindergarten table may be used. Blackboard cloth will easily convert a homemade table into a blackboard, and the little ones enjoy sitting or kneeling around this and marking on it with crayon. Clean, light-colored rag rugs are useful to spread in front of the table for the little ones to kneel on. A Cradle Roll classroom is intended as a place where the little ones may really be instructed as well as amused. The teacher, who may be the superintendent, or one of the mothers, will tell a story of God's love and care in the simplest language. To those who are unfamiliar with the workings of the mind of a child under three years of age it may seem useless to try to teach them anything. But they remember the nursery rhymes and simple stories which are told them in the 51 52 t!i:j)e Crable a^oU department home, and can absorb a Bible story also — more perhaps than we realize. A verse of one or two simple songs, such as ''God is Love" and ''Jesus loves me," may be sung each Sunday, and repeated several times during a single session. Do not try to introduce too many songs; few of the little ones can carry a tune, and it is better for them to have one or two songs which will always be associated with this class than a number of which they know only a few words. Toys of various kinds have a place: blocks, pictures and wooden animals which may be used to illustrate the stories are suitable, and it is well to select each with a view to using it for such a purpose. A large room in which the mothers meet in one end while the little folks are in the other, a screen or cur- tain separating the two classes, is a good arrangement. The mothers have their own lesson, and their minds are easy because they know the little ones are close by; and for the same reason the little ones are more con- tented to remain at their table, knowing that mother is very near. The little ones may meet with the Beginners for the opening service, and then retire behind a screen or curtain in a corner of the room for their story. The leaves of the screen on the side nearest the Cradle Roll class may be covered with bright pictures, covers taken from magazines or the lesson pictures used in other departments. Another plan, where there is no separate room, is for the mothers to meet in the Beginners room for the tE^fte Crable l^oll Clags; or iBtursierp 53 opening service, but taking no part in any of the exer- cises. By watching the teachers they learn the songs and exercises, and are able to go over them at home with the Uttle ones. When the children go to their screened corner the mothers retire to another corner, where they study the lesson for the day, under the leadership of one of their own number or of a regularly appointed teacher. Successful work is being done in the one-room school. A corner near the Bible class, if possible, is chosen for the children, so that any disturbance which they may create will not be noticed so much as though they were near some of the younger pupils. A sand tray may be used here if there is room, stories told, and a little quiet play work introduced. An offering is taken in these classes, and sometimes the teacher will provide a light lunch of crackers and a drink of cool water toward the close of the hour. A Cradle Roll class makes for more intelligent co- operation between home and school, and through the little child parents are often brought back into active church work. A Cradle Roll nursery differs from a Cradle Roll class in that it cares for even the tiny babies, and is intended to interest rather than to instruct. It is arranged chiefly for the benefit of mothers who cannot leave their little ones at home, and must either bring them to church and Sunday school or themselves re- main away. Sometimes the nursery is open during the Sunday-school hour; again it is open only at the 54 tKfje Crable H^oll department time of morning worship. The superintendent and one or more assistants are usually in charge, although the mothers themselves may take turns in looking after it. The membership is divided, and each one is asked to serve one or more Sundays during the year. Not infrequently a class of young women will become responsible for this nursery when it is held at the hour of church service, and they, in groups of two or more, will be present on Sunday morning. Unless the num- ber of babies in the nursery is large, it is better not to have too many assistants. The helpers usually pro- vide crackers or plain cookies for the older children, but the baby's milk and water bottles are brought by the mother. A small alcohol lamp on which the milk may be heated should be a part of the equipment. Some mothers put aside little toys which are to be used only on Sunday in the Cradle Roll nursery. Some- times a group of the older babies, two or three years old, may be taken off into a corner by one of the assist- ants and told a story. The Cradle Roll nursery is intended for the little ones under three or four years of age. Older children ought to be placed in a Sunday kindergarten or Begin- ners Class. Where there is no nursery, and the mother must hold her baby during the hour of service, if she attends at all, why not see to it that she is made as comfortable as possible? A small rocking-chair and footstool in the back of the auditorium would be inconspicuous, and a mother can hold a sleeping child and enjoy the service ^fje Crable aaoU Clasig or i^urs^erp 55 much more when comfortable physically than when compelled to sit upright in a church pew. Where there is no nursery or Cradle Roll class, the mothers may meet and form a ''Mother and Baby" class. The mothers bring the little ones, but instead of its being an occasion where baby is entertained or taught, mother looking on, it is mother who is the pupil. A description of one such class may be interesting. A number of young mothers, all of whom had at some time been active in Sunday-school work, agreed that if a certain room off to one side of the auditorium, but connected by folding doors, would be given them for a classroom, they would organize, elect officers and a teacher, and attend Sunday school. They were given the room, and small rocking-chairs were provided. Small chairs to be used by the Httle ones old enough to sit on them, but too small or too shy to go into the Beginners Class, were also provided. Screens were so arranged that if the mother preferred, she might rock her babe in privacy. The class united with the school in the opening service, but not in the closing. That time was spent, behind closed doors, in preparing the little ones for the street. Once a month a social was held to which the fathers were invited, and from this sprang a men's class. XV Mfjen tfje ©eatft ^ngel Comes; Sometimes when a little one is taken away, the only Christian woman to whom bereaved parents can turn for sympathy and help is the Cradle Roll superintend- ent. How important and: necessary, then, that the superintendent be in such close touch with each home that she knows where there is sickness and when death enters. The superintendent will attend the funeral, and as many of the Cradle Roll mothers as possible will repre- sent the Department, and in this way express their sympathy. Flowers may be sent in the name of the Cradle Roll, and the little name card may be removed from the cradle and tied to them. Birthday offerings are occasionally used to buy flowers for this purpose, or the Sunday school may pay for them, as for any other expense. On the Sunday following the superintendent should see that the pulpit flowers are sent to the home. Special wall rolls on which to inscribe the names of those on the ''Heavenly Roll" are often used. An appropriate roll shows a picture of Christ with a little child in his arms, mounted on a white card. The words *' Jesus said, 'Suffer Httle children to come unto me,'" are printed underneath, and, suspended from this, on narrow satin ribbon runners, are little cards, each deco- 56 Ml)tn tfje Beatf) glngel Contest 57 rated with an angel face and the name and date of birth and death of a baby. Where the names are left on a continuous roll, a tiny bow of white satin ribbon pinned above the name indicates that the baby has gone above, or a Httle cherub seal is pasted opposite the name. Little letters and illustrated folders to send to the parents may be had from the Sunday-school supply houses, or the superintendent may write a message of her own. If the superintendent so desires, reference to the death may be made the following Sunday, by stating that Jesus has called a little one to be with him in heaven. This is followed by the transfer of the name from one roll to the other. The children repeat, ''Suf- fer the little children to come unto me, and for- bid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God." One of the teachers, or some one selected for the purpose, sings a verse of "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," and then the superintendent reads the follow- ing verses from her Bible: ''And God himself shall be with them." "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more." " For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life," and closes with the little prayer, substituting the correct pronoun: ''Fold her, O Father, in thine arms, And let her henceforth be A messenger of love between Our human hearts and thee." 58 ^fje Crable i^oU department The little cradle may be trimmed with white flowers, which may afterward be taken to the home, or to the cemetery and placed upon the grave. There is nothing sad or gloomy about this service, and its use may dispel some of the wrong impressions which children have of death. XVI ^Tranrferring a Crable 3RoU Mtmhtt The work of a Cradle Roll superintendent ought not to end when a baby leaves the neighborhood. It should be her duty to keep track of baby until he is entered on some other roll. A good way of holding the baby is to communicate with the pastor of the nearest church of the denomination, asking him to call upon the strangers, and also to have the Cradle Roll superin- tendent secure baby's name. If there is no church of the denomination in the immediate vicinity, but one of another is close at hand, it would not be dis- loyalty to inform the pastor of the neighboring church. Where there is a Graded Elementary Union in the city, with the Cradle Roll superintendents in one division, the name of the nearest superintendent may be ob- tained, and she may be notified of the new member ready to be transferred to her roll. Until the superintendent knows that baby is on an- other roll, the name should remain with her. As soon as the parents, or superintendent, of the other school notify her that baby is enrolled elsewhere, the name should be dropped from her list of active members. A separate roll for those who have left the school may be used. At the top of a sheet of cardboard mount the picture of a train, and underneath write the 59 60 Wf)t Crable l^oll department names. This gives a complete record of all babies who have left the community. A note is made on the record card, or in the book, of the circumstances inci- dental to the removal of the name, and the card is filed away. The County Elementary Superintendent may assist in placing baby's name on a Cradle Roll in a new lo- cality. If she is notified that the family is in a certain town, she in turn can communicate with a Cradle Roll superintendent there. Transfer cards to give baby when leaving, and to be presented to the superintendent of the new school, may be bought from the supply houses, or the school may have a special design of its own. The greatest value which lies in these cards is that the parents will be less apt to neglect having baby entered in a new school where they have such a reminder. XVII promotion Bap This is, or should be, a great clay for the baby as well as for the Department. A public program may be arranged, either to be given before the entire school or during the hour of morning worship. In many schools a regular Promotion Day is held the last Sun- day in September when pupils from each grade and department graduate and enter the next higher. Where this is done, the Cradle Roll comes first on the program, and a short, simple exercise that conforms with the rest of the service is sufficient. Where there is no regular Promotion Day, the babies may have their graduation service in connection with some other public event. It may be part of the Children's Day program, or of Rally Day, or the chief number of the Cradle Roll Sunday service. Whenever the promotion occurs, let it be given prominence, for this is an important event in the life of baby. He may have been attending Sun- day school more or less regularly for some months previous, but this marks his public entrance into the active life of the school. In some schools it is a rule to promote baby when three years of age; in others the little ones are kept on the roll until the fourth birthday is passed. A certificate, the second which he has received during 61 62 tE^jje Crable ^^oll department his short life, is given. The first, the certificate of membership, indicated his entrance into Sunday school, and this, his promotion into the Beginners Department. The certificates are rolled and tied with ribbon, the name being written lightly in pencil on the outside, or a tiny card bearing the name may be tied on with the bow. A flower run through the ribbon band adds to its attractiveness. Some superintendents make much of the promotion of each ''class," and the little ones each succeeding year have their own ''class" color and flower. Where this is done, the certificates are tied with the class colors. At other times pink ribbon is used for the boys and blue for the girls. Again, some superintendents prefer to have everything white, and others use the elementary colors, green and white. In order to have the children present on Promotion Day they must be invited to come. Sunday-school supply houses offer printed invitations which are at- tractive and quite inexpensive. Some superintendents, however, prefer to write a personal note. Others make it a point to visit baby, and invite him and his parents to be present. It is a good plan for the teacher of the class into which the little one will enter to ac- company the superintendent on this occasion, and so become acquainted with her new charge. Invitations to join the Beginners Department may be sent at this time. These are printed or written on httle cards or folders, and sometimes decorated with pictures of children three or four years old. The pictures are prettier when touched up with water colors, J^romotion Bap 63 and the messages may read something like the follow- ing: "Dear little friend: This little girl is four years old, and she goes to Sunday school every week. You are four years old, and wouldn't you like to be in our Beginners Class?" "Good-morning, Little Cradle Roll Girl! How would you like to be a Beginner now that you are so big and strong? Won't you come to our Sunday school and try it?" As a part of the exercise, the wall roll may be placed upon a table or chair, where it can be reached by the children, and as each name is called the little fingers may be guided to the place where the owner's name card is inserted, that he may remove it. The card is to be taken home as a souvenir, or given to the new teacher. Or, as the names are called, an assistant may remove the cards and hand them to the children. If it is customary to leave the names on the wall roll, a tiny pink rosebud seal, the emblem of the Beginners Class, or a gold star, pasted opposite the name, will indicate that baby is no longer a member of the Cradle Roll but of the Beginners Class. It is a pleasing and profitable custom to have each of the graduates secure a new member to take the place vacated. When this is done, the certificate may have the words, '^Promoted with Honor," inserted. An- other way is to have a gold seal placed upon the cer- tificate, or the ribbons for tying may be of a special color. When the time arrives for promoting the little ones, 64 ^Jje Crablc 3^oU department the question asked the superintendent is, ''What part can the babies take in such a service?" A charming promotion service in which the Uttle ones may have a part, yet say nothing, and which may be carried out with any number of children, is this: The Beginners teacher and Cradle Roll superin- tendent work together. From the Beginners Class select as many children as there are little graduates, and have the same number of big boys as little boys, and a big girl for each little girl. The Beginners, with their teacher, each wearing a pink rosebud, the emblem of their Department, and holding a similar blossom in the left hand, take their place on one side of the plat- form. Up the steps and across the platform will come the Cradle Roll superintendent, followed by the little graduates. They form a semicircle, and the pastor, or superintendent, with a few appropriate words, pre- sents the certificates. The Cradle Roll superintendent turns to the group of Beginners, and, addressing the teacher, says: "These are our little Cradle Roll gradu- ates, who are now old enough to attend Sunday school regularly. Have you a place for them in your class?" The Beginners teacher replies: ''Yes, we have room for them and many more, and as Jesus said to let the little ones come unto him, so in his name we bid them wel- come. Shall we not, little Beginners ? " (turning to the group beside her). The Beginners in chorus reply: "Yes, Suffer the little children to come unto me. These are the words of our Saviour, spoken to such as these." The Cradle Roll superintendent, turning to ^Promotion Baj> 65 her little flock, says: "Dear little ones, the time has come when you are no longer members of the Cradle Roll, but are ready to take your place with these other children. Do you want to become Beginners, and attend Sunday school each Sunday, to learn to sing pretty songs, and to hear beautiful stories about God and the dear Lord Jesus?" The little ones signify their willingness either by saying ''Yes" or by a simple nod of the head. Turning to the other teacher, the super- intendent says: ''Here they are. Train them for Jesus, lead them in the way wherein their little feet should walk, and may you be faithful to the great trust that is now laid upon you." The teacher steps to one side, and the Beginners come forward, each taking a place beside one of the smaller children, and holding him by the hand. The teacher says, "As you are to be little Beginners, you must have the emblem of our class, to show that you belong to us." At this the Be- ginners place a rosebud in the hand of each new mem- ber, and then, hand in hand, the little ones march off the platform, following the teacher, who leads them to seats reserved among the Beginners. A march of the graduates is an easy thing to arrange. After the Cradle Roll song and prayer the members of the Cradle Roll follow the superintendent across the front of the church, down one aisle, across the back of the auditorium, and up another aisle to the platform. The superintendent, or an assistant, will carry the little cradle, and in this may be placed the certificates. The leader may have in each hand the end of a long streamer 5 66 ^ije Crable il^oll department of ribbon or cheesecloth (half a width), and the other ends may be held by a helper. The children march in line between the two streamers, holding on to either side. As they reach the platform the streamers are dropped, and they stand in a semicircle, while the superintendent explains that now they are about to leave the Cradle Roll and become members of the next Department of the school, the Beginners. Certificates are presented, and the Beginners teacher escorts them to special seats among the group of Beginners. A more elaborate service might be called ''The Open Gate.'' A small fence about two feet high is placed midway across the platform. A gate, hung on hinges so that it swings easily, is set in the middle. The gate is held together with ribbon ties. Sometimes the fence is painted white; again it is trimmed with flowers, vines or ferns. A little boy and girl from the Beginners Department, each carrying a basket of flow- ers or of smaller baskets, take their place at the gate on the outside, or side nearest the audience. The little baskets, if they are used, are filled with tiny white flowers or pink rosebuds, and a bow of ribbon or tulle is tied to the handle of each. While a march is being played, the graduates come in from an anteroom and take their place on the platform, back of the fence. An older child recites: "Open the gates for the dear little feet, Coming to enter our Bible school class; Out of the years of their babyhood sweet Now through the portals of childhood they pass. Open the gates and welcome them in, Welcome the Cradle Roll band." promotion Baj> 67 The two Beginners open the gate, and, as the children pass through, each is handed a flower or one of the small baskets. The superintendent gives the certificates and presents the little ones to the Beginners teacher, who leads them off the platform to seats in the new class. The little fence used in so many promotion services may be a strong wooden affair made by a carpenter, or something less expensive will serve as a substitute. Some of the boys in the older classes would doubtless be glad to make it. One superintendent made her own by using two long strips of wood, wound with white crepe paper, attached to two steady upright pieces, which formed the gateway. The other ends were fastened to the back of pulpit and desk. The pickets were strips of white paper tacked to the cross-bars. This made a pretty, but frail, fence. Another used two old panel picture frames for gates, tying them to the posts with ribbon hinges. Just before Promotion Day is a good time to have a Cradle Roll party — one given in honor of the little graduates about to leave the Department. Sometimes only the graduates are invited; again, they are the guests of honor. At these parties the picture of the group of graduates may be taken, and where this is done each year, and each picture framed and hung on the walls of the schoolroom, or mounted in a scrap- book, it makes a pleasing record of the number who have graduated from the Cradle Roll Department. A delightful custom is to have, in connection with the promotion service, an alumni march, in which all the 68 Wbt Crable 3^oU department members of the school who have ever been on the Cradle Roll take part. Where the Department has been organized for years, young men and women will take their places with the little ones ''just past three." Let each ''class" be represented, the members carrying white pennants with the year of promotion painted under the words "CRADLE ROLL." After the little graduates are presented with their certificates they are joined by the others, according to the year of their promotion, and then the whole procession, led by the three-year-olds, marches off the platform. XVIII Crable J&oll 3iaj> One of the requirements in the '' Cradle Roll Aims and Methods" is that an annual Cradle Roll Day be ob- served. This usually forms a portion of the opening or closing service in Sunday school, or may be held during the hour of morning worship. The choir will sing appropriate music; the pastor preach a special sermon to the parents, and a demonstration of Cradle Roll work be given. In some schools the babies are invited to be present the last Sunday of each quarter in the Beginners or Primary room, where a short welcome service is held. In addition, the Cradle Roll usually has a place on the program of all special days. The parents should receive a cordial invitation to attend and bring baby, and special seats may be re- served for them. If possible, arrange to have auto- mobiles go after the babies, and so make sure of their being present. A good exercise to use in connection with the service is the Cradle Roll catechism. The superintendent is assisted by ten young girls, who form a semicircle around the cradle, which stands on the platform. To the sides are attached ribbons, one of which is held by 69 70 tTfje Crable 3^oU iSepartment each girl. A Cradle Roll welcome song is sung, and then the following questions asked: Superintendeni. — What is the Cradle Roll? First Girl. — A Department of the Sunday school for the babies who are too small to attend the services. We put their names on the roll, and then, when they are three years old, bring them into the Beginners Class. Superintendent. — Whom do we enroll? Second. — Any baby in the neighborhood under three (or four) years of age who is not already on some other roll, provided the parents will allow us to. Superintendent. — Do we ever try to get the babies away from other schools or other denominations? Third. — No, but where the parents do not attend any other church, or where there is no Cradle Roll connected with their Sunday school, then, if they will consent to it, we enroll them on ours. Superintendent. — How many babies have we on our roll at the present time? Fourth. . During the past year have been promoted to the Beginners Class, have moved away, died, so altogether we have had . Superintendent. — Are there many babies enrolled on Cradle Rolls throughout the world? Fifth. — Yes, there are a great many — over a million. "Have you heard of the host from Baby land, Marching up to the battle with sin? How their lines reach out from shore to shore In the cause they would help us to win? Their names are writ on our Cradle Rolls, And we list to the music made By the prattling sweet, and the pattering feet Of the httle Tink Toe Brigade.'" Superintendent. — What kinds of babies do we want on the roll? Crable l^oil Bap 71 Sixth. — ''Babies short, and babies tall, Babies big, and babies small. Blue-eyed babies, babies fair, BrowTi-eyed babies, with lots of hair. Babies so tiny they can't sit up, Babies that drink from a silver cup. Babies that coo, babies that creep, Babies that only can eat and sleep. Babies that laugh, and babies that talk, Babies quite big enough to walk." Superintendent. — What do we look for as the result of the influ- ences of the Cradle Roll upon the homes and community? Seventh. — "Before this brigade of sweet innocents Old Evil can never stand; And who shall number the lost led back By the clasp of a baby's hand? Their names are writ on our Cradle Rolls, And our Bible schools find aid. And consecration, and inspiration In the little 'Pink Toe Brigade.'" Superintendent. — Are any babies too young or too small to be- come members of the Cradle Roll? Eighth. — "In a tiny cradle, curtained round with white. Lies a darling hahy, dainty, sweet and bright; Claim him now for Jesus, through the Cradle Roll, Then, when older, bring him to our Sunday school." Superintendent. — Why do we have a Cradle Roll? Ninth. — Because Jesus took them, the little children, in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (The girls all sing, very softly.) "I think, when I read that sweet story of old, When Jesus was here among men ; How he called little children as lambs to his fold, I should Hke to have been with them then." Superintendent. — What is our real reason for having a Cradle RoU? 72 ^fje Crable a^oU department Tenth. — Because the Bible says: "And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God." With bowed heads the girls repeat: "Heavenly Father, hear our prayer; Keep within thy constant care These dear babies thou hast sent, To their loving parents lent. To be taught and trained for you. May our school its mission do, Love and pray for, guard them, too." This service may be followed by roll call and presenta- tion of a flower to each baby present. In explaining the nature of Cradle Roll work to the congregation, one superintendent introduced, at the proper time, a full-sized bassinet, daintily trimmed in blue ribbon and white peonies. In this were placed several of the smallest of the babies, thus showing who were being cared for. Where Cradle Roll Welcome Sunday is observed quarterly in the Beginners or Primary room, the exercise is very simple. On the preceding Sunday mention is made that next Sunday will be Cradle Roll Day, or a little banner with the picture of a baby is hung in front of the room so that the little folks may remember what is to come next Sunday. Sometimes a rubber stamp with the words ''Cradle Roll Day Next Sunday" is used to stamp all the cards and papers which the children take home. Crable iaoU Bap 73 Seats are provided for the parents in the rear of the room. They can then see what is going on in the classes, but their presence does not interfere with the children so much as though they were seated in front. When the little ones sing the song of welcome, they turn and face the back of the room. The Cradle Roll exercise is only a part of the program, so too much time must not be devoted to it. The parents and visitors will enjoy seeing something of the regular work of the Department. A pretty service which will occupy less than ten minutes is this: Song: "A welcome to you, A welcome to you, A welcome, dear parents. We're glad to see you. *'A welcome to you, A welcome to you, A welcome, dear babies. We're glad to see you." Concert recitation: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. Teachers: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. Sujierintendent: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Concert prayer, children standing with bowed heads and folded hands : ''Bless all our Cradle babies, Wherever the}^ may be; Although in homes so scattered Thou every one dost see. We love them, and thou lovest them, Oh! may they grow to be A band of little Christians, Obedient, Lord, to thee. Amen." 74 ^fje Crable ^^oll department If there is a new name to be added to the roll, the usual enrollment service is carried out in addition to this. The cradle occupies a prominent place during the service, and the attention of the visitors is called to any special feature of wall roll or picture display. At the close, a little souvenir is given each baby. This may be a card, a flower, tiny plant, or some such trifle. Visitors' welcome cards, to be used on any occasion when parents are invited to a Cradle Roll service, are sometimes handed the parents as they enter or leave the room. One such card reads: We are glad to see you among Welcome! the worshipers this morning. It would give our pastor and our members pleasure to meet you at the close of the service, and become personally acquainted with you and dear baby. Cradle Roll Superintendent. g>pecial ©apjf A share in all special days belongs to the babies, and they will want a place on the program. The same general features which are outlined for Cradle Roll Sunday may be adapted to suit the occasion. Special invitations must be sent to each baby to con^.e and bring parents and friends. A little souvenir of some kind may be provided. Have the Cradle Roll number of the program so bright and attractive that it will be the very best of the whole service. Occasionally seats are reserved for the babies and their parents, and if possible small rocking-chairs are provided for the use of mothers who may have to hold restless children. These may be placed in the back of the room. A suggestive program for use on Easter, Mother's Day, Children's Da}^ Rally Day, or other special season, and which will take less than ten minutes to present, is this: Girls from the Primary or the Junior department stand around the cradle, which is on a table upon the plat- form. They sing a verse of the Cradle Roll Ode, using the famihar tune, "America": 75 76 Cije Crable i^oU department "God bless these babies dear, All who are gathered here, Our Cradle Roll. Jesus, in thy dear arms Keep safe from all that harms And guard from all alarms, Our Cradle Roll." A report of the Department may be given by the superintendent, which will include, in addition to the number of babies enrolled, et cetera, anything else that may be of special interest to that particular congre- gation. She then reads from her Bible: ''And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they re- buked them. But Jesus called them unto him, saying. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God." The girls sing, ''I think, when I read that sweet story of old" and offer one of the little Cradle Roll prayers. If there is a new member to be welcomed, — and it is well to keep a name in reserve for this occasion, — a special enrollment service is given. If there are not too many babies, the roll may be called, the mother bringing baby to the platform in response to its name. XX Cf)tis;tma£f The babies must have a part in the Christmas cele- bration. They may meet with the children of the Beginners and Primary classes, or by themselves, if the Department is large. Where the whole school unites in a service the Sunday preceding Christmas the babies have a part; but they are not expected to be present at an evening entertainment. A pleasing custom followed by one school is to hold a vesper service the Sunday afternoon ' before Christ- mas, when all the school members and their parents gather together and sing Christmas hymns. The parents of the babies receive a special invitation to be present, and seats are reserved for them. Another pretty plan is to have two trees, one large tree for the main school, and a small tree for the Cradle Roll. The two trees are placed on the platform side by side, the babies' tree being trimmed in things ap- propriate to them. If you want to interest the mothers during the busy Christmas season enough to get them to take the trouble and time to prepare baby and bring him to the partj^, make your invitation so pretty that they cannot resist. When a hectograph is used, all sorts of pretty little sketches showing Santa, trees, stars, and other Christ- 77 78 tIDfje Crable 3^oU department mas symbols may decorate the invitation. Christmas seals may also be used in a number of ways. A little fir tree cut from green paper, decorated with tiny gold or silver stars, the invitation written on the back, is good. Or two stockings may be cut from paper, the edges pasted together, and a note slipped in the top. The stocking may be decorated with a Christmas seal, and the invitation written underneath. Stockings made from scrim or tarlatan are used as an envelope for the invitation. Little Christmas bells may be cut from red or green paper, and a star-shaped card is appropriate. A star cut from red cardboard may have a Christmas seal in the center, and around the edge may be written, ''Under the stars one holy night, a little Babe was born." Superintendents who believe that a catchy rhyme will attract the mothers, when a more formal style would not, have used the following: "Dear baby, and mother, remember! Wednesday, th6 twenty-third of December, Santa invites you to come and see His beautiful big Christmas tree." "Christmas is coming! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas is coming, With ice and snow. Come to our party On Monday, at two. You'll have a good time And mother will, too." Where a giving Christmas is being observed by the Ci)ri£itmag 79 school, the babies may be allowed to have a part. One superintendent sent to each of her little charges the following note: Dear Baby Ruth: I am sure that you will want to know what our Sunday school is going to do on Christmas Eve, so I am writing this little letter to tell you. The service, this year, is to be more of giv- ing than of receiving. We will have an enter- tainment called "White Gifts for the King," and each one will have an envelope in which I would like to have you put your offering and return to me before Christmas Eve, so that we may have our gift ready for that time. The Cradle Roll gift w^ll be furnishings for a baby's bed at the hospital and other things used for the babies who have to go there. Lovingly yours. Cradle Roll Superintendent. An invitation tied to a long stocking made from bright cotton cloth, in which is a card reading "Please fill this stocking with goodies, from the top right down to the toe," is one way of having the babies remember others at the Christmas time. XXI ^onbmix^ for Special ^eas^ons; The superintendent who likes to remember the babies in her Department with a small souvenir as a token of her loving thought for them at any and every special season may find a few suggestions as to what others have used helpful. Only tiny things, these souvenirs, but they have their place in keeping the parents and other members of the family interested in the Cradle Roll, and through it, in the church. The wise superin- tendent, unless she has plenty of time at her command, will endeavor to interest others in the making of these favors. What would be a big task for one person is only play when a number get at it. How the older girls dehght in making these little gifts! And how often an invalid will forget her pain and troubles if she is kept busy with some such light work as this. Or an old lady will enjoy the thought of still being useful, even though unable to get out of the house, if she is asked to make knitted balls or bean bags for the babies. The boys, too, will not refuse to do anything they can if asked. Scrapbooks may be made of white or colored paper cambric. Cut the cambric in strips twenty inches long by eight wide, and fold in the center. The re- quired number of leaves are stitched together, pretty 80 ^oubcnirsf for Special ^easfong 81 pictures pasted in, and the book is ready for baby. Sometimes a cover of white oilcloth is added. The boys may assist in making these books. A tiny tarlatan stocking filled with candy is some- times used, and so are little baskets packed with cookies. Some superintendents prefer to use plain cookies or crackers instead of candy, as the mothers object to the latter. Where there is a large membership, try grading the gifts, that is, a special thing for each year. This gives a variety. Sometimes it is the mothers who are remembered by the superintendent, and a little gift is sent in the name of baby. One used her camera and secured a picture of every baby. At Christmas each mother received a picture of her own baby, with the message on the back : "Here's your Cradle Roll baby So cunning and sweet, From the top of his head To the soles of his feet." Another sent to each mother a group picture of all the guests at one of the Cradle Roll receptions. A package of Comfort Powders would make a good Christmas gift for the mother, if accompanied with a Christmas wish and instructions to take one when feel- ing tired. Little quotations on baby or motherhood — just a line perhaps, or maybe a poem of several verses — are written on slips of paper and rolled in a piece of fringed tissue-paper. A half-dozen of these little rolls are tied together. 6 82 ^f}t CratJle H^oU department A calendar made by mounting a picture on a piece of cardboard and adding a calendar pad makes a nice remembrance, particularly if baby's birthday is marked by a star or some other symbol. Then, when the mother looks over the calendar, she realizes that the superintendent had her in mind when making it. Valentine's Day is another good time for remember- ing the babies. A package of twenty-five red hearts can be bought for ten cents. On these paste tiny scrap pictures or little text cards such as are used in some Primary Departments, and then write baby's name and a little greeting, perhaps adding the name of the school. Two hearts, one slightly smaller than the other, may be tied together, or several small decorated hearts strung on a ribbon. The Christmas sachet idea is equally good when a valentine card is used, and the envelope may be fas- tened with a little heart seal. The Sunbonnet Babies, cut from colored paper, may be used for valentines. Write a message on the inside, and see if the little folks don't think them the nicest of valentines. The Sunbonnet girl and Overall boy, outlined on a small card and colored with water colors, make another pretty valentine. Add the words, ''To my Valentine," or some such message, and on the back write baby's name and a greeting. A delightful set of Easter cards was made for the fifty babies of one Department. Magazine pictures were sought which fitted the child for whom the card ^oubenirjf for Special B>tafionsi 83 was intended. These were mounted on plain cards and touched up with water colors. A verse composed to fit the card and the child was written on one side, and on the back an Easter greeting signed by the superin- tendent. These cards were the work of a class of young ladies. Flower seeds and plants are frequently used at Easter. One superintendent arranged for a group of Junior boys to deliver to each baby on Easter morning a tiny flowerpot, tied with a green ribbon, in which was planted a nasturtium seed. The boys explained to the parents that a Sunday some time in July or August was to be Flower Sunday, and at that time the babies were ex- pected to be present, and to use their plants to decorate the chancel. A tiny packet of seeds may be tied to an Easter card, or placed in an envelope sealed with an Easter emblem. May baskets are made and hung for the babies. Children in the Primary grades delight to do this. Under the direction of their teacher a class of girls made pretty little green paper baskets and in each put a little plant. These were given to the mothers of the Cradle Roll babies on Mother's Day. A cradle-shaped card, with a baby's head pasted on the top, the mother's name written underneath, and below that a quotation on motherhood, will make a very good place card to use at the tables when serving refreshments at a baby party. A practical souvenir is a feeding bib. Checked glass toweling may be used, the sides and end feather- 84 Wbt Crable i^oU Bepartment stitched in colored cotton, and the neck bound with tape. These cost less than five cents each. Another style may be made from two thicknesses of cheese- cloth lightly quilted together. Before serving refresh- ments, tie a bib under each little chin, and tell baby to take it home as a reminder of the party. Dolls always make good favors. Fresh, clean clothes- pins may be gayly dressed, and will please the little ones, and so will the cute little dolls which can be fash- ioned from corn husks. Dolls made of yarn or plain carpet warp are always enjoyed, and have an advantage over some of the others in that they may be washed. What fun a crowd of girls, and boys, too, would have in making a quantity of these dolls for the babies! Souvenirs prepared entirely by a class of boys were p)ennants. Blue pennants were made for the girls, and pink for the boys. They were made from cambric, mounted on smooth sticks. The words *' Cradle Roll" were painted in black on one side. A tiny bouquet of flowers tied to a ribbon loop large enough to slip over baby's head was used as a souvenir at one Cradle Roll party. A nosegay was hung around each little neck. A class of girls had a fine time one evening when they met with the superintendent and helped to fashion the cutest little baby bonnets from paper napkins. These were used at a party, and a part of the program was a march in which all the babies and their mothers took part, the babies wearing their pretty bonnets. Toy balloons are favorites with the little ones, and ^oubcnirjs for Special ^easionsi 85 occasionally the only favor given is a bow of blue or pink ribbon, pinned or tied to baby's sleeve. Pretty and inexpensive souvenirs may be made from a few copies of illustrated Mother Goose rhymes. These may be bought for as little as five cents each. Cut out the figures and mount them on plain card- board, writing the accompanying verse underneath. Give each baby a card. XXII Crable J&oll parties; It is a little more interesting to be invited to an ani- mal or a cooky social than just to a ''party/' and it is really easier for the superintendent to arrange such a party than where there is no definite idea to carry out in invitation, program and decorations. Then, too, the mothers will often make a greater effort to attend if the invitation is unusual in form and color, and the party promises to be something of special interest. Use any legitimate means that will bring the mothers and babies out. There are so few places where a mother feels free to go and take baby for a social afternoon, that specially planned entertainments for them are very welcome. And often the only time a mother enters church while her little ones are small is in connection with some Cradle Roll event. One superintendent says that she always plans every social and enter- tainment to be held in the church, rather than at her own home, so that the very earliest impressions the httle ones receive of church will be happy. Cradle Roll parties must not be confused with mothers' meetings. The parties are intended to bring the mothers together in a social way, to have them meet the pastor and other of the church members, and to en- joy some pleasing entertainment. A set program is not 86 Crable i^oli l^avtit^ 87 always successful, for just at a time when something interesting is going on, some baby is sure to demand attention. At a mothers' meeting the babies are cared for in another room, and the mothers left free to listen without interruption. The parties, however, may be made bright with music, readings or games — something of a simple entertaining nature. There are always mothers connected with the Cradle Roll who are members of the church and those who are not. It should be the aim of those on the "inside" to look after those who are not members, and try by their quiet influence to draw them in. After going to the trouble and expense of preparing for a party the superintendent naturally hopes that a majority of the mothers will be present. It is the cus- tom of one superintendent to write a note to each ab- sentee the day after the party telling how she missed her, and asking after health of mother and babe. A second card is seldom sent to one baby, because ''next time" the mother makes an effort to be present, feeling that she is really wanted. The question of suitable refreshments to serve may trouble the inexperienced superintendent. Sometimes the nature of the party will suggest the most suitable things to serve. It must be remembered that never should anything elaborate or rich be provided. Our guests are only little folks, and those who are old enough to eat are not yet ready for anything but the sim- plest food. Sometimes the babies are seated at one table and the mothers at another. Then the mothers Clje Crablc i^oll department may be served with different refreshments. At one party the Uttle folks were dehghted to find animal crackers walking over dishes of pure ice cream. As fast as the animals disappeared watchful attendants saw to it that others took their place. This was a very informal party. Each child knelt in front of the chair on which he had been sitting, using it as a table. A pretty paper napkin was placed on each for a cloth. A generous handful of animal crackers tied up in a paper napkin is another way of serving. Each child is given a bag of crackers to eat with his ice cream. Little paper cups filled with tiny white candies from which arose a stick of candy so that it looked very much like a candle were placed beside each plate at one party, and at another animal-shaped cookies were surrounded by a fence of pure white candy. Cookies of all styles and shapes are always appro- priate, and plain sandwiches of bread and butter, or tiny buttered rolls, are wholesome and good. Cradle Roll parties may be as varied and as unique as those arranged for older people. Every special season and day may be the occasion for a party, and though the little ones may not understand the fancy invitation and little favors, the mothers will appreciate the attention. Something suitable for every month of the year may be carried out if a little thought is given the subject. No matter what kind of party you are planning, try to have something unique in the way of invitations. A form often used is: Crable laoll ^artieflf "For once leave your home to the care of others, And come to the party for babies and mothers." This may be written on a card decorated with the pic- ture of a baby cut from a magazine or some advertise- ment, the place of meeting and date being added below. Another very simple plan is to write a note on a card cut in some fancy shape, saying. Dear baby ; You and mother are in- vited to a party at the church on Thursday from three to five. All the other Cradle Roll babies are expected to be present, so please come. For a picnic nothing is prettier than a basket-shaped card with a message such as ''Let us go with our lunch basket and spend a happy day together, all the Cradle Roll babies and their mothers, under the big green trees at ." ''What a lot of work!" some one may say. Yes, it takes time, money and brains to write these invita- tions, prepare the souvenirs, arrange the meeting place, plan the program, provide refreshments, and everything else, but who would not be willing to go to some trouble and expense when they entertain friends in their own home? Is not this, the Master's work, of as much im- portance, and does it call for less time and talent? And when the superintendent realizes the importance of these little social gatherings as a necessary means of estabhshing a spirit of cooperation and a bond of sympathy between home and church and school, they will surely become even more popular than they are at present. xxra W^t Crable JRoII anb Mis^iionn ' Some superintendents believe that even the little ones on the Cradle Roll are not too young to take a part in the evangelization of the world. Mite boxes are given at the time of enrollment, these to be re- turned at some stated time during the year. Perhaps once a quarter the banks are collected, or every six months they are replaced with new. An annual party at which they are opened is another method. Easter is a good time to hold this box opening, and at least one superintendent turns her Christmas party into a missionary meeting, and the little ones at that time bring their gifts for missions. Sometimes the Cradle Roll has a special missionary object of its own — the support of a baby in a mission orphanage or something of that kind. Again, the Cradle Roll may unite with Beginners and Primary departments in contributing to a special object. Or the school as a whole may be interested in a cause toward which all contribute. In one school where an annual Missionary Day is observed the superintendent sent to each of the babies a little note stating what was being done, and asking for a contribution from baby. With the letter was inclosed an envelope to contain the 90 ^fje Crable laoU anb Mi^^ioni 91 offering. During the service, while the offerings were being taken to the platform, a little girl from the Cradle Roll went up with the others and presented the gift from the babies. The birthday offerings are commonly used for mis- sionary purposes, those of the Cradle Roll babies being kept separate or not, as the superintendent may desire. A missionary birthday party to which the babies are asked to come and contribute as many coins, copper, silver, or gold, as they are years old is a method em- ployed to bring in the missionary offering. Of course, the short program is missionary in general character. The plan for interesting the mothers and babies in missions as used by one superintendent may be sug- gestive to others. She did not invite them to a mis- sionary party, as then, quite probably, many of the mothers would not have found it possible to come, but there was something so unusual and attractive about the invitation which each received that most of them accepted and were present on the appointed afternoon. The invitations were written on little round, orange- colored cardboard, and read: Won't you come? Please do, And bring mother with you to Our Orange party next Saturday afternoon. Cradle Roll Superintendent. The room was attractively decorated with orange- colored paper. The hostess and her assistants wore pretty little caps of orange color, and each guest was presented w^ith a rosette of the same shade, which she 92 ^ije Crable 3^oU department was asked to wear somewhere about her person as a compliment to the occasion. When the guests had all arrived, the superintendent told of her desire that the babies on the Cradle Roll should have a part in the great mission work of the world, and do this by caring for an orphan baby in far- away India. Every baby who would help toward its support was given a little bank, the shape and color of an orange. (These little banks were very inexpen- sive, costing five cents or less.) At the end of a year they were to meet again and the banks would be broken open. Simple refreshments were served at the close of the afternoon — plain orange jello and little round cookies, with orangeade to drink. The superin- tendent told the babies that she would try to get a picture of their baby in India, and make a copy for each to keep as a reminder of their early interest in missions. Home mission work is sometimes undertaken in the name of the Cradle Roll Department. One Depart- ment bought and supports a bed in a denominational orphans' home, the understanding being that the bed is always to be used by the youngest orphan in the home. The babies are invited to make a special offering at Christmas and on Children's Day, and this is used to support the work. XXIV Wt)t ^asJtor anb rtje Crable JRoII A man who had a flock of sheep was asked by a friend how he succeeded in raising them. He replied, "By taking care of the lambs." Fortunate is the Cradle Roll superintendent who has the hearty co- operation of the pastor in all her work for and with the little ones; who believes that the future of the church lies in looking after and caring for them. Between them they can build up the congregation and Sunday school through interesting the parents in the affairs of the church, their attention being first gained because of the interest taken in baby. Some pastors recognize the Cradle Roll as one of the greatest doors to evangehstic work the church has. In no other way can entrance to homes and hearts be gained so easily as through this, the baby on the Cradle Roll. The Cradle Roll has well been termed a feeder to the church and Sunday school, not only because its members eventually enter the main school, but because of the many older people who are led to take an active interest in Sunday school and church by reason of baby's first being a member. The Department records may be made in duplicate, one going to the pastor. He is then in position to visit 93 94 ^fje Crable a^oU department baby, to remember the birthday with a greeting, and to reach the parents in a systematic way. By attending the mothers' meetings and Cradle Roll parties he comes into contact with the mothers and babies, and can win an indifferent mother over to taking an interest in church affairs by his attention to the baby. By assisting the superintendent in planning for Cradle Roll Sunday he shows his interest in the De- partment. Special attention to the notices to be given from the pulpit, of all regular and special Cradle Roll events, will show to the public that he considers the Cradle Roll a vital part of the church life. A pastor who remembers the babies of the Cradle Roll while away on his vacation, with a picture post card and a word of greeting, binds the home more closely not only to the Sunday school, but to the church. One superintendent notifies her pastor as soon as she hears of a new baby. He immediately writes the par- ents a note of congratulation that God has so blessed their home, and asks when he can see the Baby. He does not ask to see the parents, but makes it a personal matter with baby. The proud parents notify him, and he calls as soon as they say he may. XXV la iMotfjersf* auxiliary "Educated motherhood is the need of to-day, not only in our own land, but across the sea. It is a de- mand that will not be ignored; it is a Macedonian cry that refuses to be silenced. Mothers are everywhere pleading for assistance. Every Bible-school worker desires to advance the spiritual welfare of the children under her care, and the religious training of children in the home. In no better way can this be accom- plished than by forming a Mother's Association in connection with the school, in order that the mothers and teachers — the home and the school — may be brought into partnership, and an allied force secured that will be of immense value." This statement was made by Mrs. W. F. Heath in an address before elementary workers at the World's Sunday-School Convention held in Washington, D. C. The truth so well expressed by her applies very largely to the Cradle Roll Department. No one class of moth- ers needs help more than these, that they may start baby right from the very beginning, that they may train him physically, mentally and spiritually during these three impressionable years when he is a member of the Cradle Roll. 95 96 ^J)e Crable laoU department In many schools Mothers' Departments and Moth- ers' Clubs have been organized. The mothers meet together for Bible study or the discussion of such topics as may be of mutual interest. These are usually of a very practical nature, and the speakers persons of authority on their subjects. Where there is already such an organization in the church, the superintendents may invite all the mothers of the Cradle Roll to attend. Perhaps for a part of the time the Cradle Roll mothers may gather by themselves for a little talk about their own problems. A Mothers' Club, when open to mothers of children of all ages, may be carried on much the same as a Graded Elementary Union. The mothers meet to- gether to listen to an address on some topic of mutual interest, or for the study of some book; then for fifteen minutes or a half hour separate into groups, in each of which will be discussed something of special interest to mothers of children of a certain age. They come together again for a closing exercise or social hour. In this way each mother gains help in solving her own particular problems. Where the organization is in- tended primarily for the mothers of the Elementary Division, the children under thirteen years of age, such a system is practical. The mothers of the Cradle Roll, Beginners, Primary, and Junior children will each meet by themselves. Where a mother has children in more than one Department, she will then select the topic in which she is most interested and attend that dis- cussion. ja ifHotberg' ^uxiliarp 97 To quote Mrs. Heath once mere: "The organization should be very simple, and the meetings informal. It really is not necessary to have a constitution. The first step is to gather the mothers together. This can be done in various ways: interest your pastor and superintendent; put notices in the church bulletin; ask pastor and superintendent to say a few words from the pulpit indorsing the movement; send a card of invitation home by the children; better than all else, call personally upon each mother and invite her." These hints were added: Room: This should be made most attractive. Leader: Appoint the most consecrated woman in your church; a mother if possible; one who loves God and httle children. Name: Mothers' Association of the Church, or a name specially suited to your group. Object: To help mothers to come nearer to Christ; to instruct their children in religious truths, and to raise the standard of the home. Officers: President, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and librarian. Dues: It is not necessary to have dues, but if you must have them, let them be small; a better way is to have a basket on the table for voluntary offerings at the close of the meeting. Topics: Simple, practical topics, problems mothers have met in the home. A program for a season can be arranged, taking some book for study and discussion, or individual topics. Music: The best obtainable. Solos, a mothers' chorus, hymns and children's songs used in Bible school. Mothers ought to be famihar with these. Library: Good helpful books for the mothers to read. These may be donated, one at a time, or bought from the general fund, and loaned to the members of the association. 98 ^Jje Crable l^oU department Social Hour: Plan for this at the close of the session, with hght refreshments. Care of Children: Provide some one to care for the children who cannot be left at home, so that mothers may enjoy the meet- ing. Conference: Will the mothers talk? Certainly; every mother desires the best she can get for the child; if she cannot get it by hstening, she will ask for it. Parents^ Meetings: The father has a responsibility that he can- not shirk; hold a parents' meeting now and then, and arrange a program that will interest the fathers as well as the mothers. Educated "parenthood" will bring a blessing on every home, on every school, on every nation and on every individual. All this applies to mothers' meetings in general, but the Cradle Roll superintendent will find in it that which is practical for her organization. Long ago God commanded the parents in Israel to keep the commandments and to teach them to their children. We provide for the physical needs of our little ones, but it is the intention of God that they be fed with the Bread of life. Yet how many mothers fail in this because of their inability to tell a story, par- ticularly a Bible story, in an interesting manner to a little two- or three-year-old child. In mothers' clubs the art of story-telling may be a part of the practical work carried on, and here the mothers will learn how to tell a Bible story. Although a Cradle Roll Auxiliary may be carried on very successfully without a constitution, some superin- tendents prefer to have one. The following may be amended or altered to suit local conditions; it is offered as a suggestive guide. ^ Moti)tv^' ^uxiliarp 99 CONSTITUTION OF CRADLE ROLL AUXILIARY Article 1 NAME This organization shall be known as the Cradle Roll Auxiliary of Sunday School of . Article 2 OBJECT The object of this Auxiliary is to seek, in a very practical way, Ught in dealing with the problems confronting each mother in the care and guidance of the babies in our homes. Article 3 MEMBERSHIP Any mother who has a child on the Cradle Roll of this or any other Sunday school is eligible to membership in this Auxiliary. Article 4 MOTTO The motto of this Auxihary shall be: "A partnership with God is motherhood. What strength, what purity, what self-control, What love, what wisdom, should belong to her Who helps God fashion an immortal soul." Article 5 PRAYER The prayer of this Auxiliary shall be : "God help us mothers all to Uve aright. And may our homes all truth and love infold. Since hfe for us no loftier aim can hold Than leading httle children to the Ught." 100 trtje Crable aaoU department Article 6 SONG The song of this Auxiliary shall be: "Up to me sweet childhood looketh, Heart, and mind, and soul awake; Teach me of thy ways, O Father, Teach me for sweet childhood's sake. In their young hearts soft and tender, Guide my hand good seed to sow, That its blossoming may praise thee Praise thee wheresoe'er they go. "Give to me a cheerful spirit That my little flock may see It is good and pleasant service To be taught of thee. Father, order all my footsteps; So direct my daily way. That in following me, the children May not go astray. "Let thy holy counsel lead me, Let thy light before me shine. That they may not stumble over Word or deed of mine. Draw us hand in hand to Jesus For his word's sake, unforgot, * Let the little ones come to me, And forbid them not.'" Article 7 OFFICERS The officers of this Auxihary shall be a president, vice-presi- dent, secretary, treasurer and librarian, who shall be elected at the meeting and serve for one year. Article 8 DUTIES OF OFFICERS The duties of the first four officers shall be those that usually pertain to such. The president may or may not be the Cradle Roll superintendent, according to her wishes in the matter and the feeUng of the Auxihary members on the subject. The ^ Moti)tv9i' ^uxiiiatp 101 librarian shall have charge of the Auxihary library and look after the proper distribution of books and other literature — also secure subscriptions to the various mothers' magazines, and attend to the ordering of the same. Article 9 QUORUM members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any special business. Article 10 MEETINGS Regular meetings shall be held the of each month. All meetings to be held in the church parlors, unless otherwise agreed upon. Article 11 DUES The annual dues shall be , payable at the meeting. Article 12 COMMITTEES A Program Committee shall be appointed at the annual meeting to prepare a tentative program and submit it to the mem- bers at the next regular monthly meeting for their approval. A Social Committee appointed at the same time shall pro- vide refreshments at each of the regular meetings throughout the year, and endeavor to promote a spirit of friendship among the members. A Mothers' Help Committee shall look after the small chil- dren brought to the meetings, and care for them in a room adjoin- ing that in which the meeting is held, so that the mothers may be free to enjoy the program. On this committee each of the mothers shall serve in turn, thus distributing the work. Article 13 CRADLE ROLL The Cradle Roll Auxihary meetings shall not in any way conflict with those of the Cradle Roll Department. The mem- bers are pledged to assist the Cradle Roll superintendent in every way possible, particularly by attendance upon every party and pubhc service in which the Department has a part. 102 tlTije Crable i^oU department One Auxiliary, in connection with its regular work, maintains a nursery at the church. This was fitted up by the members, each contributing something in the way of equipment or money. Here the little ones are cared for during the sessions of the Auxiliary, and on Sunday morning two of the mothers are in church to look after the little ones who may be brought by their parents. They are kind enough not to limit the use of the room to members only, but any child under six may be left there. Definite study of the various mothers' magazines or of some good book has been found most helpful. Such books as ''Study of Child Nature" by Elizabeth Harri- son; ''The Unfolding Life" by Mrs. A. A. Lamoreaux; ^'Stories and Story-Telling" by St. John; "The Dawn of Character" by Mumford; "Child Nature and Child Nurture" by St. John; "How to Tell Stories to Chil- dren"; "Children's Rights"; and others of this char- acter, have opened up a new world to many a mother when studied under the leadership of a capable in- structor. Such practical things as the maintenance of a Dorcas fund, consisting of outgrown baby-clothes, which are passed along to other mothers, is a part of some Auxil- iary work. Where refreshments are served they should be very simple. A cup of tea or chocolate, and wafers, will be found sufficient. A pretty custom is to have as "guests of honor" those whose birthdays have occurred during the month. Another is to reverse this order and have JI jHotijerss' ^uxiliarp 103 these favored mothers give a ''birthday party" to the others, they being the hostesses. A pretty little reminder which the superintendent might send to each mother in the Auxiliary is a cal- endar. On a regular mount or piece of cardboard place a picture of a baby, and underneath a tiny cal- endar pad. On each page mark in red ink the date of the meeting. Across the top of the card write or print the one word ''Remember." A little ribbon loop by which to hang the calendar completes it. APPENDIX program jUaterial for g)pecial ^rogramsf PRAYERS 1 God Bless the Babies on the Cradle Roll. Bless Them, and Keep Them Throughout Each Glad Day, Watch Them in Daylight and Guard Them in Darkness; May they Grow Gentler and Sweeter Each Day. "Bless All our Cradle Babies, Wherever They may be; Although in Homes so Scattered, Thou Every One Dost See. W^E Love Them, and Thou Lovest Them, Oh, May They Grow to be A Band of Little Christians, Obedient, Lord, to Thee." 3 "Heavenly Father, hear our prayer; Keep within thy constant care This dear baby thou hast sent. To its loving parents lent. To be taught and trained for you. May our school its mission do. Love and pray for, guard it, too." 4 "We bring another baby. Dear Lord, to thee to-day. Thou lovest these tiny children, Caring for them alway. 105 106 ^Jje Crable iaoU Bepartment Help us, as older children, To set them examples good; Showing them love and kindness, As those who know thee should.' 5 "God bless and keep the children dear Upon this Cradle Roll. May Jesus light their pathway here, And heaven be theii* goal." 6 "Heavenly Father, bless this baby. Guide his tender httle feet. May we older children help him To be gentle, kind and sweet." "Heavenly Father, guide and keep In thy loving care; These dear babies while they sleep Here, and everywhere." 8 'Jesus, bless our Cradle Roll babies Here at home, and across the sea; Care for them, and their fathers and mothers. Wherever they may be." 9 "God, our Father, how we thank thee. When the tiny babes we see; And we know that as we help them. We are really helping thee." 10 "Jesus, bless this little baby We welcome here to-day; May the angels guard her (his) cradle Keep her (him) in thy care, we pray." JProgram jUaterial for Special programs; 107 CRADLE ROLL WELCOME VERSES 1 ** Another little baby girl (boy) Whose name we have to-day We are glad to add to the Cradle Roll Until she (he) comes to stay. We'll watch, and care, and pray for her (him) And hope it will not be long Until she (he) comes to Sunday school Then we II sing for her (him) this song : "Clirist was once a little baby Just hke you and me, Born in Bethlehem, of Judah, Far across the sea; No room for the Uttle Jesus Could be found on earth; And a stable dark and dreary Was his place of birth." (Song from "The Primary and Junior Hymnal") 2 "In our pretty cradle here Place the baby's name so dear; Jesus, ever bless and keep With thy love, so true and deep." 3 "We have placed dear baby's name On our Cradle Roll to-day; May the loving Saviour bless him All along his earthly way. And at last when life is over, In the many mansions fair, May his name be found forever In the Father's record there." 4 "Another new baby we welcome to-day. To him a new name has been given; We'll give him a place on our dear Cradle Roll For of such is the kingdom of heaven." 108 ^f)e Crable aaoU department 5 "Here's our pretty cradle, Tied with ribbons gay; Many names we've laid within it — More in it we'll lay; Rock, rock, pretty cradle, This glad day enrolled Are names of precious babies Safe for you to hold." 6 "Little cradle, do you think, With your pretty bows of pink, You can faithful be and true To the name we trust to you? "As we lay it gently there We will add this loving prayer That the little baby face In our class may find a place." Date Due vJe 2 7 '40 F 13 3 ■/;->, ^ . J.J 4