Like all music, the figured bass should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul; where this is not kept in mind there is no true music, but only an infernal clamour and ranting. Johann Sebastian Bach Show Summary: Today on The New Mason Jar, Cindy talks with Hannah Paris and Amy Edwards about the new Lenten companion book to Hallelujah, A Sacred Sacrifice How this book came to be through the years Some thoughts on why St. Matthew’s Passion is such an appropriate piece for Lent How the book is laid out for families to use Some thoughts on approaching Lent if it isn’t a normal part of your church tradition Books and Links Mentioned: A Sacred Sacrifice: Cultivating Lenten Traditions with Bach’s Great Passion by Hannah Paris The Story of Charlotte Mason by Essex Cholmondeley The Charlotte Mason Book of Quotes: Copywork to Inspire by Lanaya Gore Blue Sky Daisies Truly parents are happy people, to have God’s children lent to them… Charlotte Mason, from a letter quoted in The Story of Charlotte Mason Find Cindy: Morning Time for Moms Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group Mere Motherhood Facebook Group The Literary Life Podcast Cindy’s Facebook Cindy’s Instagram

As a matter of fact, we do not realise children, we under-estimate them; in the divine words, we “despise” them, with the best intentions in the world, because we confound the immaturity of their frames, and their absolute ignorance as to the relations of things, with spiritual impotence: whereas the fact probably is, that never is intellectual power so keen, the moral sense so strong, spiritual perception so piercing, as in those days of childhood which we regard with a supercilious, if kindly, smile. Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children, p. 260 Show Summary: Today on The New Mason Jar, Cindy and Dawn chat with guests Elizabeth and Stacy about the challenges (and benefits!) of homeschooling while serving in the military How Elizabeth and Stacy each first learned about Charlotte Mason What are some of the challenges of military life and frequent relocation? How have you found homeschooling community and friends when changing duty stations? What are some of the benefits your family has experienced because of military life? Are there any homeschooling resources available to military families? How do you adapt your homeschool schedule during the year to stay flexible to change? Books and Links Mentioned: For the Family’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay The Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola Find Cindy and Dawn: Morning Time for Moms Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group Mere Motherhood Facebook Group The Literary Life Podcast Cindy’s Facebook Cindy’s Instagram Dawn’s Swedish Drill Book Dawn’s Reasoned Patriotism Book Dawn’s Discerning Home Educator Substack Every look of gentleness and tone of reverence, every word of kindness and act of help, passes into the thought-environment, the very atmosphere which the child breathes; he does not think of these things, may never think of them, but all his life long they excite that ‘vague appetency towards something’ out of which most of his actions spring. Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children, p. 36

Few things could be more disastrous (as, alas, few are more imminent) than a sudden break with the traditions of the past; wherefore, let us gently knit the bonds that bind us to the generation all too rapidly dying out. It is well that we gather up, with tender reverence, such fragments of their insight and experience as come in our way; for we would fain, each, be as an householder, bringing forth out of his treasures things new and old. Charlotte Mason, Formation of Character, p. 156-157 Show Summary: On The New Mason Jar this week, Cindy talks with Bethany Stuard, homeschooling mom of 3, about incorporating group singing into the homeschool day How Bethany came to know about Charlotte Mason as a second-generation homeschooler How choral music connected Bethany with poetry, the liturgy, other cultures and more Practical tips for helping children sing confidently at home How folk songs help connect us to other cultures and our own history Tips for finding a choir for a child to join Tips for making the most of composer study Books and Links Mentioned: Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay James Herriot Peter Kreeft Melody Sheet Music Poetry Set to Choral Music on Spotify   Playlist of Folk and Children’s Songs on Spotify AmblesideOnline Folk Song Selections Feierabend Song Collection Books Kodaly Collection Find Cindy and Bethany: Morning Time for Moms Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group Mere Motherhood Facebook Group The Literary Life Podcast Cindy’s Facebook Cindy’s Instagram Bethany’s Website First Colony Homeschool Ensembles ...a classical education does more, turns out men with intellects cultivated and trained, who are awake to every refinement of thought, and yet ready for action. But the press and hurry of our times and the clamour for useful knowledge are driving classical culture out of the field; and parents will have to make up their minds, not only that they must supplement the moral training of the school, but must supply the intellectual culture, without which knowledge may be power, but is not pleasure, nor the means of pleasure. Charlotte Mason, Formation of Character, p. 213