Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-02-19

l q. , f ~ s 81 + al I. *
schools and colleges, with his scien
tific knowledge of hygiene. his love
for young men and his appreciation
of manly character, is one of the
great discoveries in modern Christian
work. Z, ~
The school at Springfield has Gre
ated new type Of physical director
not the professional trainer who
seeks to turn out. winning team
but a physical educator who realizes
the physical basis of character and
that the physical is the best approach
! to the boy and young man. Physi
cal training, especially with the high
er uses Of athletics, is about the only
means at our command in the modern
city to serve as substitute for the
military training which young men
receive abroad, and it is far better
for the purpose of developing init
alive and the rugged elements Of
character.
There are now $4,000 students in
our High schools, 100000 boys in pri-
waite schools, and over 100000 young
men in colleges. There are also &c.,
900 members in Young Mems Christ.
ian Associations. The furnishing OF
physical directors for this vast body
! OF young men who will soon be the
leaders on this continent is most
important Christian service. The
teacher Of hygiene and all forms of
Christian physical education comes
nearer to the students under his di-
rection than any other member of a
school faculty. He has an opportuni-
ty for holding personality and direct
ing the lives of young men hardly
equalled by that of a pastor or a
missionary.
The modern city has become the
dominant type of life in this century.
This is true not only here but in all
the industrial countries of the world.
1t is in the city that we find the
largest number of young men. They
city life. Already Young Mems
Christian Associations have been Or
ganized in most of the important
cities throughout the world. The
secretaries and other officers Of an
Association have an unusual opportun-
ity for Christian work.
The college at Springfield makes
the study of the Bible, church history
and religious education the fundament-
al elements in its course of study.
1t is also important that an officer In
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton should understand the communi.
ty problems of the present day. In
sociology, social ethics, municipal SO
GEOLOGY and community hygiene the
most careful attention is given to,
ward preparing men to deal with
these perplexing problems. ThereI
are some four thousand officers in
the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton alone. They are the chief!
agents in administering property
valued at over seventy million dol
lars
Nearly four hundred experienced
men are now giving their entire
time to this form Of effort. There!
are about one hundred and thirty
boys clubs, either independent or|
connected with churches, which en-
ploy directors Of Christian work-so.
cial, religious or physical. From
twelve to seventeen years is an age
of the greatest importance. 1t isl
plain that this is the period for NOR
al and spiritual awakening. If the
men of this country are to be saved
for the kingdom of God, it must. BE-
during the teens. Workers for adults
may lead Christians into service, but
it is the director for work >among
boys who molds character.
The International. Young Mems
Christian Association College at
Springfield has 220 students who are
taking three years course of study,
themselves for these var
led forms Of specialized service. The
basis for admission to this school Is
analogous to the requirements TOT