r beginning the mission school was the first Sunday in
October. The place, Mart Spink's sitting-room.

Mr. Spink had added to the seating capacity of his cabin by taking some
long slabs and with an auger drilling holes in their round sides. Into
these holes he drove wooden pegs, and thus provided serviceable benches
without backs. These together with his other benches and his chairs
gave sufficient seating accommodation for those who came.

It was a motley but interesting crowd that assembled in the
sitting-room at two o'clock that Sunday afternoon. Of course the Spinks
were there, and some members of the Wiles and Sneath families were
present, and others from different homes in that section. Fourteen
girls, ten boys and a few adults had come to the meeting. Besides these
there were the preacher, John Larkin, Viola and George LeMonde,
Henrietta Harvey, and Stella Nebeker in attendance. Jasper Very wished
much to be present, but a preaching engagement kept him away.

The children were dressed somewhat better than on week days but at that
their clothing was nothing to boast of. The girls were shy and ill at
ease, the boys half shy and half bold.

John Larkin called the school to order, and made a few remarks.

"Dear friends, we are met here today to worship God and to study his
Holy Word. I am sure you want me in your behalf to thank the ladies who
visited your homes and invited you to help in starting this school, and
to thank Mr. Spink and family who have so kindly opened their house for
our meetings. Miss Viola LeMonde has had some hymn books placed on the
benches, and she will lead us in song."

Viola knew that most of those present were not acquainted with a single
religious hymn, but she thought the older ones might be able to sing
some of the old favorites of the church. So she led them in singing:

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me," and "All hail the power of Jesus' name."

Those who had come to help in the school carried the tunes along very
well, and Viola was surprised and pleased to hear some of the farmers
and their wives join in singing these sweet songs of Zion.

Then Viola sang as a solo a beautiful and appropriate "Children's
Hymn," containing these words.

"Hosanna! be the children's song,
To Christ, the children's King;
His praise, to whom our souls belong,
Let all the children sing.
Hosanna! sound from hill to hill,
And spread from plain to plain,
While louder, sweet