Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-19
Pleasing Address on Boys Work
By Secretary of Boston YIN. CA.

/ 4. p. Gillette, secretary of the Bos-
ton Railroad Y. M. c. A., was the prin-
cipal speaker at the banquet given by
| the Churchmens Federation in the
Ware parlors, Tuesday evening, and
which was, without doubt. the most
largely attended affair Of it's kind ever
given by the organization. Fully 100
of the leading business men of the
! city were present, and after enjoying
a well-prepared and equally as well
served supper, listened with attention
to the brief but yet pointed speech of
Mr.. Gillette, who spoke principally on
| the proposed boys work in Waterville.
| Mr.. Gillette is one of that type of
man, who impresses one as being a
student of human nature, and after
hearing him talk for few moments
your convictions are strengthened. Be-
fore introducing Mr.. Gillette, Mr..
Northcott. who presided, asked for a
motion from the floor that would car
ry into execution, the conveying of the
greetings of the men present to In
crease Robinson, secretary of the fed
Grafton, who is now i'll at his home.
A. A. Head at once made a motion
that the greetings of the gathering be-
ing carried to Mr.. Robinson in the
most cordial form, and that as a more
material expression of good wishes
and hope for speedy recovery, a gift
of flowers be sent. Rev. Z. C. Whit
temore seconded the motion, and with
that splendid spirit that has always
characterized Waterville men, almost
IS was raised to purchase flowers for
the esteemed secretary.
Mr.. Northcott introduced Mr.. Gill
lette, as one who was known to Wat
erville people through his endeavors
at the time the local Y. NJ. c. A. build
ing was being campaigned for. He
addressed the gentlemen present as
friends, for. he said. that, during his
stay here, three years ago, he had
found them friends, and he still be-
lieved them to be such. Mr.. Gillette
lost but little time in getting down
to his subject of boys work. He be-
leves that something should be done
to exert the right influence over the
boy more than in the homes and more
than al the Sabbath schools. WE
should make companions of the boys,
we should make them feel we are in
terested in their welfare. There are
splendid opportunities for the produc-
ton of ideal men in this city, said
Mr.. Gillette. He believes that a boy
should get away from home. He
should see other boys: to stay In the
house and play checkers is not enough
for any boy. for he must have social
education as well as religious and lit
erary education, and he must get this
outside of the home.
"The dangers that confront the Wat
erville youth" said the speaker. ARE
not the saloons, the gambling house or
the evil resorts, but there are four.
The first and greatest is the unem-
ployed and idle hours; the second is
evil companions: and these are not al
ways boys: the third is vicious read
ing, and the fourth and final is the
amount of unspent energy"
The object of the boys work is to
provide for a profitable outlet for that
unspent energy under the proper in
struction, and it was for that that
Mr. Gillette came way from Boston
to plead, Wednesday evening. He was
loudly applauded at the conclusion of
his speech.
The matter of securing speaker