The Little River news., 1919-02-22
FATHERS AND SON MEET- INC \ GREAT SUCCESS
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 c. A. has done, but what it will do for us of Little River county, that interest us. ss
 Kansas has had county secretaries and organized county work for several years, and there are counties in Kan sas and other states that would no more do withou. the county Y. M. c. A. secretary than they would do without the county clerk or than the church woaid de without. the pastor.
 1t is developing . strong and reliable set C.: young men--men who can be depended on iN crisis. It will do the same thing fet our county if we will but support it as we should-not in . week or month, but like all other really big things, 1t must grow big and we must all stsnd by the Y. N. C.. A. and help 1t grow. .t Ess.a
 Paper by Nil. Gardner.
 The following is a paper read D y Mrs. W. w. Gardner on How the Mothers of Richmcnd feel about this specialized work fo. men and boys:
 I believe I can rore nearly tell you just how we mothers feel about this work by little Illustration. A few years ago, a surveyor. i'm laying out some land for the government, got in- to what seemed an interminable marsh, Brackish, slimy water abound ed and was the haunt of innumerable flies, frogs, snakes, etc. All manner of corruption was in evidence. The day was cruelty hot, water all around but none fit to drink. On and on they padded, with seemingly never an end to the marsh. The men even tired, thirsty and almost exhausted. They wanted to go back to the camp, but the surveyor told them that W ould' only cause them to make the trip again on the morrow. Finally to the right the surveyor noticed the water was clearer. Still farther they found where the water was bubblihg up with strength, breakingin the sunshine. and by its strong How forcing back the brackish water. The surveyor put out his hand, dipped some up and care- fully tasted 1t. TO his great joy he found this water was fresh and sweet. That wonderful spring in the midst of that stagnant infested marsh, made It's sweetness felt and brought refresh ment if not life itself to the men. Just so, the Y. M. e. A., in the midst of busy surroundings, when evil predomi- mates, is placing spring of grace and gladness, so sweet and peaceful that it comes right up in Gods sun shine, and by its very goodness beats back the evil all around it, bringing new life to all those who enter it's domain.
 The priceless gift of fellowship be- slowed upon us by the war must be held and made to expand. We must have 1t in order to accomplish the high ideals set for us in our own U. s.; and it must be broadened to such an extent as to reach other lands. In no other way can this be so readily &C., as through and by the agencies of the Y. M c. A.
 We mothers have vital message for the men and boys, and we ask that you not only think of it now, but in the days to come. Do not, we beg of you, muster out, this is no time for it, t:t carry on Unselfishly our boys trained and placed their bodies for targets for German frightfulness; just so, must our men and boys patiently, gladly "carry on" this work.
 We need must know of what other people are thinking; views must be clarified; we must aspire toward un- selfis', things. We admit it is easy, oh! so easy to forget; but we must not only the mothers sons who "sleep under the peoples of Elan ders," but other sons, or other moth eFs.s sons, who must have the oppor- tunity to grow strong, mentally. mor- ally and physically. To do this men and boys must be drawn closer to- gether, and through no other medium can this be brought about so readily, as in the Y. M. c. A.
 Here are some of the questions that are occupying the thoughts and minds of we mothers today Our boys, what of their future? How have they been affected by this war? Will my boy come home better or has this war par alyzed all that is good, fine and noble in him? This, my friends, are the most vital questions to the motherhood of our land today And well they may be,