The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1905-02-18
THE BOYS CLUB.
Its Methods and Aims. W.. n. Fields
Great Work.

Its Methods and Aims. W. H. Fields
Great Work.
The Boys club of Institutional
Church and Social Settlement, taking
ing in Dearborn Center (the so-called
"Black Betty is an organization. the
like of which has not before been
found anywhere in the United States.
OF all the Social Settlement work in
this country, it remained for this Or
ganization to spring into existence
here in Chicago as the first of it's kind.
w. H. Fields is the founder of the
Boys club feature, and it is his wish
to be able to devote his life to the
work of moulding the character of the
youth of the district that joins the
club, and to rescue others less FORUM
ate in their surroundings.
Every alternate Thursday night at
the Institutional church the main body
OF the club meets, and there can be
seen Is to 80 lads, with their l3-year-
old president in the chair, Master
Fred Lee, and Master Jordan Chavls,
secretary of the club. Meetings are
conducted under the ever Watchtul eye
OF Manager Fields, and the slightest
infraction of the rules, or lack OF
decorum, brings the meeting to halt
at once, and a curtain lecture to the
guilty young man. Dues are collected,
minutes read and parliamentary pro-
ceedings conducted, the same as an
organization of grown ups" The to-
tai membership OF the club is at pres
ent 3d. These boys comprise some
what Heterogeneous complement or
youth, each one of whom carries the
influence of this uplifting organization
back to his companions, who, one after
another, seek admission to the club.
Each applicant is required to fill out
an application, and have same signed
by one of his parents, after which 1t
is presented to the board of directors,
who pass upon it.
The club is divided into divisions.
The Military division meeting every
alternate Thursday night, is in COM
mand of Lieutenant John Shreeves OF
the Sth Inf Ill. N. G.; the Boys Sun
day club meeting at p. m. each Sab
bath, is in charge of Morris Lewis;
the Chorus club is in charge OF Pro-
fessor c. H. Bell.
In this manner the boys are trained
in club work, military tactics, literary
endeavor, and vocal music.
Those III charge of the different d.
visions, with Emanuel Johnson, the
pastor and warden, Rev. j. M. Town
send, and the founder, w. n. F1elds'
comprise the board Of directors. VINO
have undertaken to carry the proJect
to a successful reality. Already an
auxiliary movement is being formed
to provide uniforms for the Boys,
Military division.
Saturday night of each week the
Boys Reading room OF the churcn Is
thrown open, and is largely attended.
Master John Skinner is IN charge as
librarian, assisted by the wife OF the
pastor, Mrs. Townsend. They are
both proud of their library, to which
have been added some interesting |
books, through donation from Harold |
Wolf It is the duty of the librarian |
10 see that all books are properly TAX
en- care of and accounted for !
The Boys. Sunday club is re-
narkable gathering OF boys. me
most interesting character OF the
meeting is it's editor, Master Sumner
lewis. who always reads an interest
ng budget. interspersed with original
1umor, that brings much laughter to
The boys as they recognize the funny !
Kings therein chronicled; while the
wisdom of some of his suggestions !
arouses the interest of the older visit |
ors, and offers a topic for short dis
,ussion. Papers are read by these
boys on historical, educational and
good moral topics. They are after
wards discussed in a most Interesting
way
The above calls attention to a great
hie movement that should have the
cooneration of all-especially the
mothers and fathers-to say nothlng
of the benefit to the community at