Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-16


In his book. The Children of the
Shadow" Ernest K. Coulter. founder
of the Big Brother movement. cites
| many cases of delinquents branded at
| first as hopeless criminals who,
taken out of bad environment and
put in wholesome surroundings, de-
veloped into useful members of So
eiety.
Mr. Coulter made a study of the
bad boy and girl problem for ten
wears in the children's courts of New
York. and 1t is his opinion that If
The community can be aroused TO the
dangers of evil environment the
problem of the bad boy can be dealt
with successfully.
In New York city $250.o00 is spent
for vacation classes. Fairgrounds and
evening recreation centres. and ST.
100000 to correct delinquencies and
crimes that have their origin in the
evil bent given to the young largely
by playless lives.
How many cities and towns make
no provision for a recreation centre
for the children. and consequently
thousands of young people seek their
pleasures on the street or In dance
halls and moving picture shows
The minds of children are like the
sensitive plates of a photographer,
recording every thought or suggestion
! TO which they are exposed. These
things make up the character and
determine the future possibility.
Think of child reared in the con-
Eliminating atmosphere of the slums,
where everything is dripping with
suggestions of vulgarity and wicked
ness of every description Think of
its little mind being filed with pro-
family, obscenity and filth Is it any
wonder that it becomes so saturated
with vicious. criminal suggestions
that 1t tends to become like its en-
yironment?
What chance has a child TO lead a
noble life when all its first impress
sionable years are saturated with the
suggestions OF evil; when Jealousy
and hatred. revenge, quarreling and
| pickering, all that is low and degrad-
| ing, fill it's ears and eyes?
Contrast such child with one that
/ is brought up in an atmosphere of
purity, refinement and culture, and
whose mind is always filled with
noble, uplifting suggestions OF the
i true. the beautiful and the lovely.
What a difference in the chances OF
! these two children, and without any
4 special effort or choice of their own!
/ one mind is trained upNdIu tOWdi u
/ the light; the other downward to-
ward darkness.
How important 1t is that the child
should hear and see and be taught
only that which will make for beauty
and for truth. for loveliness and
grandeur.
/ Many parents are very much dls-
! tressed by the waywardness OF their
! children, but this waywardness is Of
ten more imaginary than real. A
| large part of childrens pranlls and
mischief IS merely the outcome or
exuberant youthful spirits which must
have an outlet, and II they are sup
pressed their growth is fatally stunt
ed. They are so full of life, energy,
and SO buoyant that they cannot keep
still They must do something, give
themselves an outlet for their animal
| spirits.
The moral faculties and sense or re-
| sponsibility develop more slowly than
| other traits in many children, and, of
course they will do mischievous things,
but it is a fatal mistake to be al
ways suppressing them. Encourage
them to romp. Play with them, but
most important of all give them a
place where they can play.
! Do not try to make men OF your
| boys or women of your girls. 1t is
not natural. Love them. Make home
just as happy place as possible and
! give them rein. freedom. There is