St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-10-30


be familiar to the leader. She must have
ready answers to the many questions
which are sure to come. The chid's mind
might well be designated as an interroga-
ton point. 1t is in a constant condition
of inquiry. Questions are often asked
with the hope if not with the expecta-
ton of receiving information. Is it right
to disappoint them with indefinite and
inconsequent replies An Indifferent an
swer may bring in return an Indifferent
interest and its results. An intelligent
answer we'll directed may find Judgment
in ground which may bear fruit in due
season. heard not long since, college
president address his students as 1--WE
educated men," Instantly there was a
Strengthening up Of the lolling mass OF
hearers and after the first sheepish look
| had passed one of intelligent purpose
spread itself over, at least half OF the
audience. Treat child as if he were
your equal and you may find that la
tent pride will bring into evidence pow
ers OF mind OF which you never dreamed.
Third: There is a certain magnetism
which some people possess which is OF
immense help in young peoples work.
| There is zeal or enthusiasm which
may be impaired from the leader, OF
inestimabe value. How many sweet,
gentle christian teachers we have III
our Sunday schools who are thoroughly
| faithful and conscientious in their efforts
and yet wholly incapable OF arousing
any enthusiasm from those with whom
they deal. Life is to them placid stream
upon whose surface it is much more de-
lightful to float than to stem the tide.
The effort which is required to breast the
wave brings into play powers of mind
and body and gives stimulus which is
more agreeable and more healthful than
inactivity. Unfortunately all leaders do
not possess magnetic power fer
it is a gift rather than product.
Fourth: Above all else leader among
children should have courage. Courage
to begin work, courage to carry on the
work and to continue to the end. Dis
couragement is a negative side which
should never be presented to the child.
1t signifies a certain self centered condi-
ton which can avail nothing. Who ever
heard of general leading his men to
successful battle perfectly discouraged"
| When this state is reached in any leader
ship the time has come to pass the work
into other hands. A hopeful outlook
will bring about the best results and
courage has often won the day.
Fifth: Conservation is the summing up
of the whole. live walk in the light as
He is in the light we shall have fellow
ship one with another" Bushnell has
said that it is useless to try to shine I'M
less one is luminous. Shall we keep near
the source of supply that the beauty OF
the Lord may be upon us and that the
work OF our hands may be established.
Are these qualifications for leadership
too many and too difficult to acquire?
Possibly, but surely some, If not all, are
within the limit of attainment.
Do not let us make the mistake of ex-
pecting the leader OF young peoples So
ciety to bear the full responsibility OF the
work. Co operation is the one thing
necessary for successful issue in church
work. The tendency of the day is to-
ward separation. 1t is danger against
which we must guard.
Women who find no difficulty in ex-
pressing their wisdom when by them
selves, are seized with verb al paralysis in
mixed meeting or are terrorized by the
sound of their own voiCes-as cOnse-
quence Il cir most effective meetings are
those he d in singleness. Our men make
no concealment of the fact that there is
an unconventional freedom when by
themselves not altogether unpleasant,
and SO the young mems club has found
its place in the church for which the pa
tient women provide bauquets, and at
which good fellowship finds free vent I'M
trammeled by woman's presence save in
the necessary kitchen. Our Christian
Endeavor demands the time and pres
ence of our young people, and ch.ldren's
work is quite separate from all. Moth
ers are separated from daughters, hus-
bands from wives and children walk
alone.
There seems to be almost no common
meeting place in our church work today,
leaving aside purely social gatherings.
Should there be such meeting where all
could come together, no doubt general
feeling of restraint would prevail which
should have no place in the home for the
church should be as a home, and its meet
ings, whether of a missionary character
or otherwise, should sometimes bring to-
} gether its family entire irrespective of
age or condition, and a feeling Of
J "Strapgeness" should have no place at
such times. For this reason we cannot
urge too strongly cooperation and con-
J centration in church work.
} We may solve this like the other prob
: lens. Let the new mission band be
, made up of boys and girls and make the
| fathers and mothers OF the children feel
that it belongs to them to give share
of interest ii nothing more-rather
e should have said-Iet the fathers and
l mothers cooperate by attending the
' children is meetings, occasionally-bv Civ.
l ing an encouraging word to the child
$ and to the leader-by talking over tht
8 work with the child at home-by opening
f the home for an occasional meeting anC
e by adding mite to the treasury. TIL
!. child is always in receptive attitud
t and is always ready to take step il
+. advance if only he is encouraged to do so
d Let us try the experiment of treating tn
0 church children to the luxury of littl
y well directed interest on our part in thei
y missionary work.
e Methods of interesting our youni
= people?" But that lis another story
=. which time will not admit of beginning
n even.
e. There is no lack of material with whic
i