Connecticut western news., 1908-03-26
MINISTER'S WORK
 WITH THE BOYS
THE VALUE OF BOYS GLASSES
The Beneficial Results Which Fol- lowed the Organization of a Boys Class in the West.

A SuTlSJ lONluR ullulSL6T IS CnllQ lOV- ing man. All men keep In heart a sur vival of childhood. We ministers are not all profound reasoners, but we all possess an element of childhood. The late blind preacher of Edinburgh said, Faith abides, and abides there the sur vival of childhood. Jesus Christ called to his service in the Kingdom of God men of low degree He called them by an appeal to the child nature, which is the only real nature"
 We ministers mean to win and keep the love of the boy, but amidst numer- ous pressares find we neglect him. A decade of mission work with little boys III the west taught me some things of value. Meet the boy at the fun loving outlet of his nature, before those leaders who tempt him to mischief. Not all boys are bad and the worst of these are not as bad as they like us to believe. In their munitions they strive tosee original in mischlevousness. At certain depth all boys are alike. Halloween brings its |
 Que of my boys classes was formed into boys club to forestall the reckless fun. of Halloween and it worked like charm. We met once a fortnight. There were 10 present the first night. The numbers grew and we had to limit the membership it became so popular. did not fit plan upon the boys but permit ted them to develop scheme themselves. N guiding it with caution. Program: The evening was divided into four parts: Thirty minutes for games in charge of a committee: thirty minutes for business with study of rules for meetings; thirty minutes for program with recltations or discussion and music; then refresh ments as long as they lasted
 One clause was meant to satisfy their girls friends Curiosity. Resolved that we have nothing against the girls and when we have an especially good program they may be admitted as guests.
 Some results of the club:-The town Marshall who found his duties easier on account of the club, invited the same over to help him celebrate his boys birth day. Our county attorney held mock court with the club. Our county surpeIin- tendent gave the club talk on insects with specimens from his cabinet. Our editor gave us a talk on his travels abroad. We had loyal temperence league work in the club.
 Boys Military Clubs, think miss the mark for the prize of their upward cal. ling to Christ Jesus. Whatever their benefits, and there are advantages, they waste their powder, scatter their aim as Christian lads, because they are trained to handle firearms rather than their Bible, the Sword of the Spirit.
 Let the age of the military spirit pass We need it not, however others feel drawn. AS for the ministers advocating them have a positive protest.
 Boys can be interested in other clubs and Christian nurture just in proportion as their leaders have enthusiasm for their nurture.
 The club is the thing and to have it like Christian Endeavor within the church is the best.
 Lent is perhaps the best time to start it, My experience with class in Chris tion nurture exclusively may be encour- aging. l included both sexes, in my in. | vitation. AS many boys as girls accepted. | meeting at the parsonage. This pro- gram consisted of questions in Bible his tory and how it grew; the life of Our Savior; the place of the commandments; the plan of grace; belonging to Christ; and hating the devil and all his works. l After this Bible hour came Chautau- qua Bible game with singing and re- treatments. At the communion after Easter fine class was received into the church as a promotion most natural and the right thing to do.
 It is pitIful to see how many a pastor fumbles at the lock of boys heart, the man who can, by an unprofessioual man. ner get boys confidence is bound to be a power. The boy trusts his minister. the trusts the boy and guides with out revealing it, the boys life. Is there any joy to compare with it?
 Boys have as theIr pet peculiarity false pride in their originality. It is a blissful delusion from which it seems cruel to awaken the dreamer, but it bet ter be done.
 His true originality lies in his yielding his wayward will to wise friend and The Savior.
 Our work with him is to draw him in