The Nostalgia that Choruses Bring

For many years since my childhood and throughout my life as a believer, I have had the joy of engaging in singing Choruses invariably designed for youngsters. But they continue to resonate in my heart up to this present time!

Some Choruses evoke distant but unforgettable memories. From January 1977 through to mid-March 1985 my wife Bernice and I held Sunday School Classes, each Lord's Day afternoon and on one or two week nights.

Sunday School was held in the home as an antagonistic brother in the local Assembly objected to Sunday School quite forcefully; he brought this "teaching" with him when he "left" the Taylor Brethren many years earlier. We felt that to continue in the Hall would only cause upset and offence.

We were mightily blessed during those years, as hundreds attended for varying lengths of time; some only came once; while some remained faithful for the entire duration. We closed the S.S. because my job involved moving to South Wales. I have regretted that move ever since, never sure that I had the Master's guidance.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of that S.S. experience was the singing of numerous choruses. So many of the choruses are replete with the truth of the Gospel and remain in the hearts of the singers indefinitely. Sadly we sing very few and not very often. We do sing the occasional chorus or refrain at the Breaking of Bread, and it is surprising how it can enhance our praise.

I look back over so many years and I can still remember quite a good number of our pupils, and with sincere affection. 

A number of them were certainly saved, and a few others may also have trusted the Lord for salvation. Nothing compares with this as the gracious recompense of God to us for His service; absolutely unmerited!

We could never quite grasp how it was that a Mormon girl and a Roman Catholic girl were allowed to attend our S.S. But nothing is too hard for the Lord! Unfortunately, the sweet-natured and gentle young girl indoctrinated with Mormonism, but who always listened attentively to the Glad Tidings was shipped off to America some few years later and compelled to marry a Mormon lad. The Lord knows.

The Roman Catholic girl was also very attentive, pleasant, and polite. One day she asked me in the session for singing choruses, if she could teach us another chorus. I was somewhat nonplussed and hesitant but trusted the Lord to overrule. She sang the chorus brightly and well. And all was well! The chorus began with the line, "Jesus' hands were kind hands doing good to all." That is the only line I remember, but on referring to the "C.S.S.M. Chorus Book," now entitled "Scripture Union Choruses," I realise it is number 698 in the book and the young lady would probably have pointed this out to me which would be of significant help to me and to the children in learning it. 

What nostalgia grips my heart as those dear ones flood the memory and conjure up in the mind's eye, a sea of beaming faces singing exultingly in our front room!