The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-09-03

/ SAONA0 W ~ AaAPhOooVo uPOh thC
minds, not alone of young girls, but of
young boys as well, that it would
never be possible for them, under any
circumstances. to forget it.
But there is still another lesson in
it for mothers and fathers.
| We like to see our boys and girls
! interested in missionary work; we
/ enjoy sharing with others the pleas
ure that they bring to us. But have
we ever stopped to think of the re-
fiex influence upon these young lives?
1t is their youth which we must
remember. Young people are in the
formative period of life. They are
/ not called nor fitted to do reforma-
| tive work. The chief end and aim
of their existence at this period is to
build up physical, mental and moral
strength. This does not mean that
we should teach them to think only
of their own welfare in all these lines,
regardless of the opportunities that
offer to help younger or weaker
brothers and sisters to climb the same
upward pathway. But it does mean
that the Elasticity of their condi-
tion should never be lost sight of by
any one, father, mother, teacher, re-
former, who has anything to do with
them.
| This is the period when the youth
J of the race are to receive those i'm
pressions that shall remain with them
throughout life. This is the char
acter forming period. AS the future
/ welfare of the race depends upon the
integrity of the foundation laid at
! this time, it is very evidently i'm
measurably more important that the
young people should be properly
guarded, guided and strengthened
than that few should receive help
at the expense of this integrity
Every one loves to look at bright,
pretty girl. (How natural, then, that
| the enthusiastic superintendent
should think of taking that pleasure
to the 'boys" in the jail or penitenti-
AIRY. But does she think of the other
side of the question, the possible eff
feet of the experience upon the
young girl? Does she remember the
romantic tendencies of the adolescent
girl, the glamour that she uncon-
sciously throws about one who has
passed through an experience of dan
ger, the glow of sympathy that is apt
to suffuse her whole being at the
sight of one who is deprived of the
ordinary joys of life? Lite the super
intendent remember how many wom-
en- there are who fail to distinguish
between pity and love, and let her
hesitate before leading any young
girls into the midst of such possible
danger.
1t is especially dangerous when
girls, as they so often do, in groups
to these places. A crowd" of girls
will gladly accept the invitation to
assist at meeting in the jail or
penitentiary or downtown mission.
They go, filled with their own imma-
ture conceptions of life, with their
romantic feelings unchecked, and
with greater daring to act indiscreet-
ly because encouraged by the foolish
admiration of their companions.
Against such an unwise procedure
thoughtful workers everywhere will
carefully guard themselves.
There are, of course, exceptions to
every rule. Occasionally one finds
girl of careful upbringing, with high
ideals and a, well-developed judg-
ment, who can with safety accompany
her mother in such work. But even
then the wise mother will make very
plain to her daughter the difference
between rendering an impersonal
service to group of transgressors
and giving ones personal friendship
to an individual wrong -doer.
We must remember also, that the
best of motives are not always an
entirely successful protection against
the effects of association with vice.
"Vice is monster of so frightful
mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen
But seen too oft, familiar with hei
face,
We first endure. then pity, then en1
Brace
1t would almost seem as thoug
our sense of the eternal fitness
things" should show us that visiS
ing jails and penitentiaries, or tryir
to reclaim fallen men or fallen wo1
en-, is not suitable work for swe \
young girls. Even writing letters
far-away soldiers and sailors has in
an element Of danger There Is