y afternoons "playing church" service as the children will.
You will be surprised at their interest and the originality that they
will display in these discussions. You will be quickening their faculty
of observation and stirring their imaginations, in a manner that will
surely make observant, thoughtful and considerate men and women of the
children, and consequently, affect their entire destinies in the years
to come. Then, too, you yourself will be helped mentally and
spiritually, because it is absolutely true that in the devotion that we
exhibit and the time and attention that we give to our children in this
companionship, we will ourselves be receiving large blessings in the
development of our own character and the finer characteristics that make
for good people.

PLAYING CHURCH.

The following suggestions will be helpful, to which original ideas may
always be added.

1. Make the "Afternoon Church" a real, not frivolous, occasion. The time
it requires to make careful, pains-taking preparation on the part of the
parent, is always profitably employed.

2. The afternoon church should always be a regular, fixed engagement. It
adds to its importance.

3. Do not postpone nor omit it for any trivial reason. Treat it as any
other important engagement.

4. When visitors are in the home, invite them to be present and to
participate. It will help them as well as the juniors.

5. The fact that there is only one child in the family does not preclude
the idea of playing church; for the dolls can be brought to church and
even chairs can be converted into imaginary people.

6. Never permit the realness of the occasion to be questioned. Always
avoid embarrassing the child and _never_ ridicule. Refrain from laughing
at any mistakes that may be made in speech, thought or conduct of the
child, unless he first sees the mistake and invites you to join in his
mirth.

7. Ask any additional questions pertinent to the subject besides those
suggested at the end of each sermon. It will develop wider thought and
increase the interest.

8. Encourage the child to ask questions, but always lead in directing
the thought.

9. Adults present should always enter seriously and earnestly into the
whole program or plan with the child's spirit. Where adults enter upon
the execution of the plan with this spirit it adds much to the enjoyment
of all. If they cannot do this, they should not participate.

10. A bell can be slowly rung as the