The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-16
For the Central Presbyterian.
Train the Boys.

woman, whose name Is q nOuSenOlQ word
with the readers of The Central Pres6y-
terrain, and whose active mind and loving
heart, are treasure to any community or
church. Among other topics of CONVEX
sation she talked about the rising genera
ton, the religious training of children,
the best methods of interesting young
people in Christian benevolence, etc, ETC.
During which this sagacious lady said in
substance, II have often thought that
mistake is made in neglecting the boys
Many are interested to train the girls,
but | have felt the need of working
among the boys and have found that it is
not difficult task to keep them together
and to elicit their efforts in church work
This suggestion seems to me both timely
and wise 1 know of two boys Socie-
ties" in different churches which have
been formed through her influence, both
providing funds for different benevolent
operations, but the blessed influence ex-
erted upon the character and future USE
fulness of these boys, no man knows
Would it not be a.bene6cent thing if some
gracious woman in every congregation
were to undertake such mission for its
boys, and by kindly means could bring
them together stately for conference, in
struction, and cooperation in Christian
work The gentle, mellowing, and stimu-
lating influence of such associations would
prove most salutary, and give promise of
a rich harvest in the future Our pres
ent boys are soon to be our men; to take
their places in the active pursuits Of life
and to assume the responsibilities which
now rest upon their seniors in Church
and State. What kind of men shall they
be? What kind of Christians shall they
make? This depends in great measure
upon the influences by which they are
surrounded, the habits they form, the in
structions they receive, and the models
they admire while they are young Let
the boys come in for full share of the
benevolent effort of Christians We need
large-hearted, generous, vigorous, earnest
men in the Church If we are to have
many such, they must receive their inspi-
ration, and ordinarily their spiritual bap-
tism in youth, and then as their strength
grows, their means increase, and their OPP
portunities enlarge, they will be ready
trained to do noble service in sustaining
the causes of benevolence and in putting
forth cheerful efforts for the upbuilding
of the Church. 1t will then not be neces-
sary to turn to our Christian women as
the chief refuge of Christianity, but they
will find their husbands and brothers and
sons hearty sympathisers and active CO.
operators with them in the good work,
and the full strength of our whole com
munion can be brought out in sustaining
and promoting the great objects which
we are trying to put toward in the world
How often does it now happen that a
godly woman whose heart is full of aspi-
ration to do good is thwarted in all her
efforts by an unsympathetic and penuri-
Gus, though Christian husband, who
knows little and cares less for these
things? Is it not matter of reproach
that so few mature Christians especially
of the masculine gender-know anything
of the the great benevolent efforts now
being made in the world, or appreciate
the objects which the Church is trying to
accomplish in the dissemination of truth
and the promotion of the welfare of our
fellow-men2 Is it not a sad reproach
that in nearly all our congregations the
women far outnumber the men are fuller
VI PlOCJ VI AOdl VI llOeIdllIy, vi SelI-Qe-
NAL? This ought not to be, must not be,
if the Church is to reach that command
ing place of influence and usefulness
which it is designed to hold. The boys
must be looked after. Our youth must
be cared for. Young men must be infu-
enced and utilized in Church work. Men
must be made to feel that the building up
of Christ's kingdom devolves upon them
that they cannot remit to their wives, or
sisters, or daughters, the duty which rests
upon their own shoulders. One great
trouble with the Southern PRESBYTERIAN
church at this moment is, that the men
upon whom its work rested few wears
ago are either dead or have suffered such
reVerses of fortune that their efforts are
paralysed and their benevolence neces-
sarily contracted, while very few have
come forward to take their faces and to
initiate their examples Notable in
stances might be given Of churches which
but short time since were prime factors
In the great religious movements of the
age, which now occupy only secondary
place, not because Of diminished numbers
or loss Of wealth, but because certain
prominent and liberal Christians have
either died or become poor, while none
have arisen to take their places And
this must always be the case, until the
Church IS wise enough iudiciously to train