Chatting idly the other day to our resident historian Mate Higginson, the lively existence of Sunday School and Bible Class in Martinborough (and elsewhere) in a period when things spiritual were taken seriously was mentioned.
Having largely dropped out of public consciousness I wondered aloud what these appendages to every respectable church were like and how enthusiastically were they attended. I assumed that the underlying principle was the usual expression of adult parental treachery i.e give me the boy, and I’ll give you the man. Which implies a certain tweak of coercion as to the need for regular attendance and punishment in the event of malingering. Was it a question of voluntary enthusiasm or a case of duress.
So: Sunday School was aimed at victims in the 5 – 10-year age bracket while Bible Class was for hardened criminals over 10years. The delivery of spiritual guidance was typically undertaken by the minister’s wife, parishioner teacher or lay preacher/elder. They could be expected to reveal useful lessons based on the biblical parables – like, “he without sin can cast the first stone” and “treat thy neighbour as thy self”. They didn’t touch on the injunction that adultery was not advisable. Too young and tender.
But it wasn’t just an introduction to religious instruction. If this had been the only fodder on offer there would have been an outbreak of insurrection. As it turned out there were some not so subtle inducements to keep the victims coming to school. Dependant on a certain regularity of attendance a bunch of lollies was your entitlement. Then there was a table tennis table for those with an appetite for ping pong. And for those who were already showing precocious interest in the opposite sex, there was dancing. One such, the Haymaker Waltz, was especially popular and involved a suitably vice-like grip around the girls waist with the blokes free arm making a vigorous haymaker oscillation. At each corner the hapless girl attempted a circular whirl which, when combined with the Haymaker sometimes turned out badly.
But between licorice allsorts, table tennis and the fandango the downside of religious instruction was overlooked and the kids kept coming.
Of course, the appetite of adults for church going is just as equivocal which is presumably why they say their ecclesiastical contact is restricted to “hatched, matched and despatched”.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday 7 October – Afternoon Tea Plus…. 12.15pm in the Community Hall, Weld St, Martinborough.
Saturday 25 October – Book Sales in the Community Hall 1.30pm – 5pm
Sunday 26 October – Morning service then lunch afterwards – all welcome, in the Church Community Hall. Service starts at 10am
