The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-07-19
Boy of Today Is Primeval.

luIl 10 IrSJ pTlncllleS.
Boy of Today Is Primeval.
AS Il starting point for the accom-
pliShment of these purposes right
minded men first turn their glances to-
ward the boy and the boys condition
in the great centers of population.
The boy of today is as primeval as
Cain and Abel He is born not immor-
al. but immoral. He is cave man.
He is the sole survivor of the stone
age. Nothing is sacred to him. He is
born without the pale of the law, and
/ he has not heard of the gospel, He
does not understand in his natural
state why anything that is loose does
not belong to him, and he does not ap-
preciate grass except as something to
walk upon. Very probably he lives un-
der surroundings where there is either
no time, no opportunity or no desire
to teach him the great laws of life.
Now, the state is facing these condi.
tions: The juvenile courts are crowd
| ed the number of probation officers is
constantly being increased, the reform
atories and schools for incorrigible
boys are being taxed beyond capacity,
and petty offenses are growing more
numerous all the while 1t does no
good for US to say that this is none of
our business. 1t will not help matters
the least for us to sit down and fold
our hands and say that God will rene
dy these things. The thoughtful man
must put aside his theories, his opin-
ions and his prejudices in the face of
actual conditions. and he is unworthy
Of his high heritage who will not by
thought and word and deed render all
possible assistance.
1t was, think, the theory of those
who inaugurated the Boys club move
ment in America that much as they
regretted interfering with family rela-
tions they deemed it wise to begin in
reference before the state took a
hand, thereby rendering it improbable
that the state would ever be called
upon to redress grievances, punish
wrongs and take the doubtful chance
Of mending a broken character.
Highest Type of Citizenship.
The highest type of citizenship lives
its life, does its work and leaves its
impress upon this day and generation
because it has been obedient to au-
thOrity. Sooner or later all men re-
aliZe that there must be obedience to
law. Thrice happy are those parents
who early begin to train their children
to a knowledge of their responsibility
to God and man and to hold a decent
respect for constituted authority and
to cheerfully obey the laws, human
and divine.
The boys club movement does not
want to abolish the home. Its purposes
are in strict accord with the highest
ideals of home. 1t seeks by the forma-
ton of its clubs and the erection of
its buildings to take the boys off the
streets and away from the temptation
of a great city; to instl into their
minds right ideas and correct prin-
| ciples; to seal their eyes to the wrong
| and evil of the world until their judg-
ment and conscience shall become 50
SbuDlS anu LiSy VIII PlCLCi
the right to the wrong, understand that
the right not only pays, but is the
only thing that pays, and that from
the wrong they can never obtain any
peace, satisfaction or profit; to give
them an avenue whereby their boyish
enthusiasm may find an outlet in al
the simple and honest pleasures of life;
to teach them courage and fortitude;
TO ascertain by experiment the things
which they are fitted to do in life; to
bring them together and have them as
sociate mdersuch conditions that they
will be mutually regardful OF each
others rights; To endeavor to keep
their minds clean, their lips pure and
their conduct above reproach to help
them to understand that they are TO
become the future citizens of the state;
and In reflex way and without hypoc-
rtsy and cant TO assist fathers and
mothers In taking an interest in the
D II g. - a. 4. 4.