The Washington times., 1903-12-13
WHY DO OUR
BOYS 60 WRONG

A BOY baby is born into a family
"A which welcomes him and Is well
fitted 70 care for him. says the
Indianapolis Journal
He is surrounded only by good in
Huences from infancy 70 manhood. His
parents, with wise and loving solicit
tude. seek to instim into him the prin-
ciples of truth. honor. and upright
ness. He IS taught that only evil can
come from the slightest deviation from
these principles; that even the so-called
minor vices are not TO be INDUCED in
with safety.
He is carefully studied in his choice
of companions, his school environments
are considered not only for their in
tellectual but their moral bearings.
No effort is spared to build up in this
boy a character so well balanced and
SO firmly based that he viii be able so
Withstand the temptations that must
inevitably confront him when he goes
out into the world Of men 70 act upon
his own responsibility
Then he enters this world, and how
often-alas. how piteously often-aH
this training. all this environment. all
the teaching that has been his and the
example that has been set before him
seem TO go for naught- with eyes vide
open to what he is doing, with intelli-
gent and fun comprehension OF the end
to which such a course leads. this child
of many prayers turns his feet 10 the
primrose path and follows IL down to
darkness and to death
Another boy baby is born into a diff
fare may be considered. but his moral
and spiritual nature has no attention.
He is a boy of the streets; he finds
such companions as he may; he gains
such education as chance gives him:
the atmosphere about him is possibly
one of crime: yet how amazingly often
such a boy develops into an hopest.
setf-respecting member Of the com
mruity.
who is he that shall solve the mys-
terry Of these things? 1t will not do II
say that training and environment
mean nothing and are useless; that pre-
cept and example are never Of avail.
Everyone knows that this Is not true;
knows that training j.. the salvation OF
the many, and that of those who miss
it many so to destruction.
But what shall account for the Alb
SALONS? Shall their career be ascribed
20 remote heredity-the case of one who
goes wrong. yet who has a long line OF
known ancestors OF incorruptibIe char
acter? So many sins are placed at the
door OF heredityi
Il is doubtless true that the founda-
ticn of character should be laid a hun
dred years before child is born. but
what of the child who has the benefit
OF 100 good years and does not profit
by them?
Is there a defect in the method OF
the training that is given-the training
that has seemed wise ana sufficient to
parent and educator, and is everywhere
accepted as the best? Is not enough
stress laid on the physical and moral
degeneracy that follows even mild dis
sipatioH2
Is the standard of honesty and integ-
rity not placed high enough or made
sacred enough2 Is the boy not made TO
understand and to know that no small
est deviation from the straight and
narrow way Of rectitude is ever justi-
fable; that no reward OF wealth or
fame is great enough 10 pay for viola
ton OF cOnscience2
Whatever is the secret, 1t is one that
many fathers of sons would gladly dis
cover. For they must equip their sons
to meet temptation. since. while the
world stands. the evil one viii not cease
TO lie in wait for them at every hand.
And everywhere are the fathers who
have done the best they knew and are
bowed in sorrow over the dear ones
fallen--Indianapolis Journal