Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-01-26

thought II would be slushy and wet
hltched up his pair of horses and Sent
them along to convey the young womer
that nothing should hinder the trip,
This was complete surprise 10 the
secretary, The town sent five young
men to the Older Boys Conference anc
their conduct and attendance was eX'
empary, There are many other inter
esting features Of the work there,
"Lincoln has been one of the points
that has been in the eye of the secretary
ever since he first visited it, and the
committee will be interested to know
that since the first of December an Or
ganization has been formed and the
young men are responding finely, to the
work of social and civic betterment,
Two socials for the whole town have
been held though largely composed of
the young people above the ages of IL
years. At the socials part of the time
has been spent playing games and part
in trying to pour new ideals into their
minds, These have been entirely self
supporting though refreshments have
been always served. The work has not
vet developed to the extent of Bridport,
but Mr. Walden, the local cow-tester
stated to another party, that These
young people are having more fun than
a circus" But | would not have you
think that the pressure has been entirely
upon pleasure, Eight young men plan
ned to attend the Older Boys confer
ence, but sickness Kindred some, so that
only five went. They were driven TO
the station at New Haven Junction by
one interested farmer who also accom-
panied them as their adult leader. The
work will PROBABLY not be of the type of
but it has abundant opportu-
mites, and the young men of the town,
Catholic as well as Protestant, feel that
they have an opportunity for good clean
pleasure in a wholesome way. Two
leaders are available, one for older boys
and one for the younger. A definite
program is under way.
'ln addition to the play periods at
Lincoln and Bridport, the secretary went
10 Ferrisbury and spoke at the Watch
Night service upon the subject of
Public Spirit'. There was consider
able interest and enthusiasm and in re-
'ponse to their request he attended their
'Bi-Weekly Social the next Friday
evening and from eight o'clock till one
fifteen the next morning played games
steadily, with no let-up as the rule there
S that no one shall be told to go home,
hey go'when they get ready. The sec
rotary was glad of the ride home in the
rain the next morning as period Of
est.
'These in general are the activit es of
Jour secretary since the last meeting.
t does not include the magazine work
and distributing, some of
which have gone to the construction
amp at Lake Dunmore, some of
which were brought from the outlying
owns. Besides the addresses spoken
f, an address was given at the Memorial
'aptist church Middlebury on the subjec
t THE Place of Play in Normal Deve-
pment" Two morning services have
cen filled. A symposium has been
tarted aiming at helping the rural pas,
Ors in dealing with some of their diff
ulties Some of the manuscript is now
4 hand for Rural Manhood. This brings
p point. find that few know of the
aue of this magazine. AS one man
ut it "What is it? 1t sounds good"
t is the organ Of our rural work, and
osts but $l.0O per year with Associa-
ion Men, the general periodical of the
:. M. c. A. The price goes up March
rst to 81. so per year. | will be glad to
ak with any regarding it.
81 bring to your attention another
natter. | find throughout the county
Dung men who show considerable abil-
y and interest in rural betterment,
len who do not know how to handle
nese things that are vital to the well
are of their communities, yet ready to
rasp all that is offered and quick to APP
ly all that may be learned. The need
f local fields is leadership, leaders who
now how to conduct the simpler prob
ms of their towns, and | bring you
MS suggestion for your consideration.
{ it is not possible for these young men
} raise enough capital to pay their ex-
enses to the summer school at Silver
ay, that they have our encouragement
} work hard and the secretary be
to help raise outside the reg
lar budget such funds as he may to
ssist these fellows. believe that
lese men who have this training can
)me home to their communities, apply
lie facts they have learned for year
their own homes, see if they have the
oility, and their training will wonder
lily aid the secretary in these places,
aving him in many cases free to work
her towns that might have been neg
cted for lack of time Possibly some
these men may develop such powerf
leadership that they can be used as
.llowship men in these rural fields.
"This then, is my report. | feel that
tile has been wasted that has been
1T forth. could have done more in
me other places with more cooper
,ion but have made it the rule that
will not carry the burden entirely
oon my shoulders. The local people