The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-04-15
THE BOY BErrERMENT MOVEMENT.

J
THE BOY BETTERMENT MOVEMENT.
What Was Said at the Laymen's Banquet.
Cooperation of all Citizens Asked.
The Laymen's Banquet in the interest Of the
"Boy Betterment Movement" was held at the
Baptist church Friday night, April 9Th The sup
per was served at $50. Covers were laid for
l6n, and practically every seat at the different
tables were taken. The supper was one of the
kind that only Belfast women know how to
prepare and to serve.
After the supper the chairman of the even
lug introduced the first speaker, Arthur M.
Heald. Secretary of the Laymen's Federation
of Maine. Mr.. Heald's remarks were brief,
but to the point. The truths he endeavored to
assembled were such as have very important
bearing on the community life. He referred
briefly, to the standards by which we measure
community. First. its wealth; secondly. its
manufacturing; thirdly, its commerce; fourth
ly, its natural location, and, filthy. its men;
and in this connection he cited an instance Of q
Washington paper having asked the question.
"What has Maine ever produced?" and of the
answer by the New York World in one word
:Men." He brought to our minds very forci-
bly, the fact that no community is in a position
to rest on its past achievements and drift with
the tide. If we have made record at any
time in the past it is all the more necessary
hot shonl k1oL hos To
raise the present standard. He convinced all
his hearers of the fact that the boy or girl in
the community is the man or woman of the
future, and if they are neglected the future
standard must be materially lowered.
The second speaker was C. F. Hosmer of
Kennebunk. Mr.. Hosmer is engaged in what
may be termed Community Building" with
headquarters at Kennebunk, radiating out
from there to a distance of about ten miles,
touching the lives of the boys and girls in that
community along the line of athletics. music,
religion, education, and society. The limited
time made it necessary for him to speak hur-
riedly and to touch very briefly upon the diff
ferent phases of the work. He told of how he
started first with careful survey of the
town. The list of questions he had covered
nearly all q mans social and religious life. He
allowed that it was impossible for anybody to
do constructive work in any town or commune
ty without first knowing the character of the
preferences. After a canvass there was form.
ed what is known as "The Twilight League.
This organization took in the men and boys OF
the town who are employed during the day.
An athletic field was secured, different games
were arranged for the men and boys, and SO
much interest was taken that many of them
remained there engaged in the pursuit of their
athletic sports until it was too dark for them
to see what was going on. Later in the season
the field was lighted by electricity, SO chat the
sports might be continued during the early
fall evenings. The educational work was car
ried into the schools. The boys and girls, after
spending fifteen minutes in the open air, re-
gorated. ready for work. The teachers cooper
sted in this work to the extent that for GER
tain time each day the windows were thrown
open and the pupils laid aside their books and
engaged in exercises that would fill their lungs
with fresh air. Men from different walks of
life were called in from time to time to talk to
the boys and girls, illustrating from their own
experiences the possibilities of life along the
different professional lines. For instance, one
day it would be lawyer, another day a manu-
facturer, again minister, one of the leading
educators. ETC., SO that each boy and girl had
an opportunity to think along these different
lines and in this way enable them to decide
for life. The agricultural and poultry clubs
have been under the supervision of this work
to the extent that one of the boys not only
took the prizes in his own town but won the
first prizes in the county and won out at the
State meet in Orono by taking first prize there.
1t would be impossible with the limi.ed
space available to even touch upon the different
subjects discussed At the close of Mr.. Hos
mer's remarks which were listened to with q
great deal of interest by everyone, a general
discussion followed. A great many questions
were asked and answered. The men present
were convinced that a program Of this kind
could be worked into our community life, A
Sherman, Charles R. Coombs James H. Howes
and Ben u. Field was appointed to formulate
plans and ascertain if it will be poss BILE to raise
the necessary amount of money to carry for
ward this work. The State Secretary said that
about $250O would be required. This committee
plan to begin work at once and there is every
indication that it will be possible not only to
raise the money but to begin awork that will
mean great revolution in the lives of the boys
and girls in this community. To make this sue
cessful the work needs the cooperation of every
man and woman who is interested in the lives
Of the boys and girls. AS you read this article
we trust you will put this question to your
selves, and make 1t personal one: "Can af-
ford to do anything but cooperate and make
possible work of this kind in Belfast?"
SALE OF PITTSFIELD ADVERTISER.
The Pittsield Advertiser was sold last week
by Caro- Murray Guimond to Garfield w. Horne
of Lowell. Mass, who will take possession in
few weeks. Mrs. Guimond bought the busi-
ness of l. o. Haskell about two years ago. Mr.,