Charlevoix county herald., 1913-06-21
RURAL YOUTH
AND RECREATIONS.

times ~ 10 nOlu Jue COuHbTy 10Y W
the farm. IL Is fundamental 10 the
nations manhood. Our statesman OF
tomorrow are going TO come from the
rural ranks Of youth. If we cannot
keep these boys contented 10 remain
at home during their formation perl
cd, at least, we may well despair or
preserving the moral standard Of
American citizenship. Having had
some opportunities for making obser-
vati0ns in social service wuk in the
city, | can say without hesitation
that the hope of American citizenship
lies in the country home. Here, II
anywhere. are the forces that shape
manners and morals. My work iI the
cities consists largely in establishing
clean and Wholesome places OF amuse-
ments as substitutes for the question
able resorts where our young men now
spend their leisure houre. But | re-
gard no feature OF this work more i'm
portant than INDUCING parents of the
tenement class 10 leave their factory
employment with its meager existence
move their families 10 the country
and give their boys chance.
The big obstacle which such efforts
encounter is the high price Of land
and the real estate sharks who can
always be relied upon TO take unjust
a Vantage of such families. If | had
some way in getting them in touch
directly with the farm owners who
wish TO sell their places. ranging from
$500 10 SIS, 900. On easy terms, especial
ly down east where land is cheaper
than it. is here in the middle west. l
believe could be OF greater service TO
humanity. BE that as it may, 1t Is
the purpose Of these lines 10 stimu-
late greater effort TO keep the boys on
the farm whom we have already there.
To do this, however, will require
something besides the ding dong Of
duty and the customary de,uge OF
don'ts. "All work and no play
makes Jack not only dull boy" but
migratory boy. Mere disciplinary
agencies are Inadequate to secure the
highest development OF his majesty,
the modern boy. This is illustrated
in the activities Of church, school and
state. But it is especially apparent
IN the greatest of all institutions. the
home. Parents who punish and re-
strain most usually have the worst
| BOYS as result. Certainly their are
no statistics to show that hoy is
good in direct proportion To the seveI-
ity OF his parental chastisement. A
boy is normally lover of play. 1t is
a part of his nature. Prohibit his
| games in his rural community and
you only drive him 10 the city. But
you cannot suppress the play instinct.
1t is as fundamental and irresistible
a. tie instinct for food.
That being true, Il play room in
every home is a. important as din
ing room. When parents wake up to
this scientific principle they viii have
taken serious step toward keeping
their boy at home. "A boy is a boiler
Of playful energies. Suppress those
energies and there is danger Of an eX
plosion. juvenile depravity is usual
ly mere lack of outlet. Supply that
outlet, and the result is moral salv--
ton Such is the function OF games.
They afford diversion OF the life
force from sordid getting and possess
ing qualifications TO something
healthful and humanizing.
Where build a new home, / would
plan a commodious place for all man
ner ofindoOr games and attractions.
Hlther | would instruct my son TO in
vite his friends TO spend their leisure
hours. This would be splendid SUBJ
stitute for the down town" resorts
and ''hang outs" where so many of
our young men squander their time.
| also believe that this is the cheap
est and most effective means Of check
ing the present cityward drift Of our
country boys. l have questioned
dozens OF young men here in the city
as to why they left their country
homes, suppOsing of course that IL
was for some sort OF larger business
opportunity, but the usual reply is
"too dead for me. " nothing doing"
referring, not to business, but to rec
reations for their evenings aud Off
duty periods. Give your boys their
favoHte games at home and you will
have taken real step toward the
solution OF one of the gravest prob
lens OF our civilization.
REV. F. j. MINES,
President National Indoor Game AS