This goes to prove that the boy has his opportunity in this present day, and it is a great opportunity, for it means that the boy can come to his own if he will.
If you have a Boy Scout organization in your church ask one or more of them to come to the platform or to serve on the floor as ushers. Use also the members of the other boy organizations you may have in the church. Have the entire program conducted by bright boys and reserve for yourself only the place of the speaker.
Japan is a children's country. They have lots of holidays which always make children glad. There is something quaint and happy in them. There is a special holiday which they call the "Boys' Festival." On a pole in front of almost every house in Japan there flies a great "paper fish." These are made hollow so that the wind can come in at the opening of the mouth and fill the paper fish with air, and thus the fish seems to swing about in the air with a lifelike wriggle.
Every fish kite in front of the house means that a boy lives in that house. The parents are glad to make that fact known and are proud of it. The paper fish is made after the pattern of the carp, which is a favorite fish in that country. It is a vigorous fish, and no current seems to be too strong for it. It swims against the current, and when it comes to a waterfall it jumps high into the air and falls into the water beyond the falls. They claim that nothing can stop it when it determines to go ahead. Because it is such a wonderful fish they have made it a badge for their boys. They want their boys to be just as steady and courageous. Let all the boys of the wide world learn this lesson. Plow your way throughout the adverse current of life.
Let it be said of every boy, "Nothing can stop him." Come to Jesus; that is the kind of boy he makes, and that boy will make good.
Now you ask me, "Do they forget little girls in Japan?" Never, only they hang a doll on the pole instead of a fish. If you are located near a Japanese bazaar you may be able to get this paper fish. Secure one if possible; it will write the lesson on the eyes and memory of the children.
St. Valentine's Day. February 14
Tell the story of godly men who in ancient times were called saints. Read Psalm 16 as the lesson.
Secure a number of paper hearts and distribute them to some of the older children and ask them to write on the heart some good deed; then collect the hearts, put them on a small tree which you have placed on the platform, and call it the Tree of Good Deeds. Show that each one can make the life like this tree if it is rooted in the heart of Jesus. Secure now a large white heart, and pin it to the root of the tree which stands for the heart of Jesus from which all good comes. If your life is like this tree of Goodness it is greater than any saint who ever lived.
Edison's Birthday. February 11