The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-01-02
The Boy Problem.

Carthage Republican,; Rev. Dr.
Tralle. of St Louis, last night aehV-
cred lecture in the BAPTIST churcn
unon "Boys.' 1t was jolly disserta-
tion upon the boy character and the
practical way to handle and develop
the how The doctor asserted that the
hoy was a composite being, made up
of fifty per cent fun, twenty per cent
figat, ten per cent fidget, ten per cent
feeling and ten per cent 1olly.
Fun. directed in the rigit Channel
is a valuable safety-valve and makes
the boy wholesome and sweet; ten :
ity of purpose should be developed
along the lines o. fighting ones self
and fighting wrong in others; treat
with consideration the restless spirit
of vouth-nagging never developed IN
the boy respect or love for home or
parents; respect his feelings and treat
him as numan being, endowed WIN
ambition and hope and longing TOT
love and sympathy and companion
ship; charity covers multitude OF
sins in a boy; he is not going to per-
dition because he makes mistake oc-
casionally. Give him chance.
This analysis of the boy character
is the substance of the doctors re-
marks. He touched only a small part
| of the subject. 1t is as broad and COM
prehensive as tae world and infinitely
more complicated than any knotty
problem before the scientists OF the
| day There is no parent wise enough
to solve the boy problem accurately
and many give it up early in the game,
and the penal and charitable lnstltu-
lions of the land are filled with the
evidences of the mistakes ed criminal
negligence of parents who did not
/ know or care how to raise boy along
sane and humane lines.
4 Realizing his pitiful limitations
along this line, the writer would yet
! like to discuss with parents the ques-
ton of their responsibility in regard to
their boys. Time and space at this
time forbids other than passing sug-
gestion. A boy likes companionship,
and his restless, active brain wants
employment. You must provide him
! with manly companions, even If you
! have to use yourself as a substitute.
! Give him all tle good literature he
/ wants to read, and provide a comfort
able place for him at home in which
to read and here he can bring his
companions. The public Libraries are
filled with entertaining and healthful
books that can be obtained at no cost
Keep the boy off the streets, especial
ly at night. Every night in any town
can be seen crowds of boys congregat
ed around places where there are
lights and warmth and hail fellowship
What is the education received in sucf
companionship? The Republican neet
not tell any father, who has been {
boy and knows. Religious and civic
ideals, respect for womanhood, per
sonal purity and honesty-all are mor'
or less trailed in the slime of secretive
unrestrained, miscellaneous compsn
ionship fostered on the streets a
night.
Briefly, the Republican pleads TO
the boys Give them a chance. Be hoI
est and fair with them. Make thei
home pleasant and keep them off tn
streets and encourage their compar
,, onship with their sisters, if they hav
any The average boy will work on
his own problem eventually, but yo
can help him do it SO much more easii
if you will take little time and pt
tience Your rest will be less trouble
, and the heritage of your precept an
: example will be to your boy preciou
and sacred memory.