As I recall Florence Rock's book (I don't have a copy) tells about the origins of the singing class. It was originally held in the church that was near Asbury. It may even have been called Asbury something or other. I think it was a school also. The singing went on until the 1960's I believe. Somewhere Mother has an article about the last time it happened. I'll see if I can find it.

From Florence Rock's "Memoirs"........... Singing Schools The main source of entertainment for our parents was the Singing School. They had their class and used the old Missouri Harmony book, with "buckwheat notes". They first organized in 1835. Of course, with their growing families, they had to cease holding their regular meetings. When we, their children, came along we, too, had our Singing Class. Our class used the Diapason Book. The class continued in existence for many years. At our Singing Schools we had no musical instruments. The teacher would strike his tuning fork and hold it to his ear to get "the pitch". My grandfather Johnson was the song leader. He would announce the number chosen and tell whether it was "long meter" or "short meter" and would then read a couple of lines. He would then read a couple more, which they would sing. This was due to the scarcity of books. The reading we called "lining the Hymn." I can still see my grandfather as he read out, " How tediuous and tasteless the hours when Jesus no longer I see." Another was "Sweet birds and sweet flowers have lost all their sweetness to me." In my childhood we used both candles and kerosene lamps for lighting. We also had heating stoves as well as fireplaces. We sometimes used the fireplace for cooking as well. ............. Hope this helps. Anne --- Jknitl@aol.com wrote: > As I recall Florence Rock's book (I don't have a > copy) tells about the > origins of the singing class. It was originally > held in the church that was near > Asbury. It may even have been called Asbury > something or other. I think it > was a school also. > > The singing went on until the 1960's I believe. > Somewhere Mother has an > article about the last time it happened. I'll see > if I can find it. > > > ==== INSHELBY Mailing List ==== > Don't forget to often check-out our website at > www.rootsweb.com/~inshelby/index.htm > > History is the witness that testifies to the passing > of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, > provides guidance in daily life and brings us > tidings of antiquity. > > - Cicero > > For questions regarding the list, contact me at > mmweaver1864@sbcglobal.net > > Thanks! > Melinda > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so > much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > > __________________________________ Discover Yahoo! Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html