By Dr. Jacquelyn Simmons
Each morning before partaking of breakfast in Grambling College’s cafeteria, a student member of the cafeteria staff stepped up to a microphone, reminded us to stand, even though the majority of us were already standing due to habit, and led us in the blessing in God’s food by singing “Grace”. We were blessed to have a true Christian President, Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones. In fact, he made sure that we prayed before all activities held on the College campus-a blessed habit once held in all Monroe City Schools before it was declared to be illegal. What a terrible mistake!!! In fact, this country is now suffering its consequences abundantly and rapidly increasing in many indescribably horrific activities which are felt by all.
“GRACE”:
Thou art great and Thou art good. Lord, we thank Thee for this food. By Thy hand must all be fed. Give is Lord, our daily bread. Give us, Lord our daily bread. Amen.
Oh! The harmony was beautiful!!! I wanted to lead the song sometimes, but I was too shy to make the request.
After graduation, we went our separate ways, but some of us carried the traditions to saying it before partaking of meals wherever family members and guest were present.
We teach it to our children and when we meet in family gatherings such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other holiday celebrations, we bless the food by standing and holding hands around the food-laden tables, quoting memory verses, someone praying and ending the short service with the singing of “Grace”.
Now, here is the beautiful part if it can be classified as more beautiful than singing it on other occasions-family members and friends who cannot make it there for various reasons either phone in to the service and join in, also, as if they were present. It is an indescribable event. We also sing it whenever one is departing after a family gathering where food was served or not.
Now, this may seem strange to some of you, but we hold hands while standing around the grave or coffin of a loved one and sing it as a show of united grief at the departure of our loved one. We sing it in restaurants and at other gatherings and are expecting our younger family members or those to come continue the family custom as they are doing now.
Singing it also rekindles memories of President Jones who took up the reigns from our founder, President Charles P. Adams, who was sent to establish Grambling by President Booker T Washington, President of Tuskegee Institute.
I was honored to meet Mr. Adams as he sometimes walked around the campus viewing his progress. I was in awe. Gramblingnites, pass, present, and future, please learn the song, “Grace”. teach it to your children and continue the tradition. God bless each of you!
Love you much!!!
Jacquelyn Hilton Simmons
P.S. This might be interesting to historians: President Ralph Waldo Jones, during my tenure at Grambling College, served as the Baseball Coach.