Farm Boys and Girls

by William A. McKeever

No less urgent and divine is the call for spiritual aid and leadership in the rural districts to-day than was that which came to the apostle Paul of old in form of a vision and a voice crying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” In the open country field, far removed from church or social center, is the demand for leaders and directors especially great. Men engage for a lifetime in an enthusiastic endeavor to amass wealth and to build up great business concerns. But the man or woman who heeds the call to go forth into the country districts and save the bodies and souls of the young—that person will not only experience exceeding great joy and enthusiasm in his work, but he will thereby lay up for himself in the memories of the redeemed a precious treasury of golden deeds.

Country parents as a rule are not in a position to do the best things even for their own children, much less to go out as leaders of the young at large. They are sometimes lacking in the necessary means, more frequently too busy, and most frequently not sufficiently informed as to be fully awake to the meanings and possibilities of any such undertaking. However, in nearly every country neighborhood there is a man or woman, or both, who possess many of the big opportunities for enlisting in the service of the young. Those who have no small children of their own to care for would naturally be freest to get away from the present home duties. Then, some parents having children of their own not infrequently catch the inspiration and heed the call. At any rate, it is entirely fair and reasonable to assume that some one of the neighborhood could do it were there the disposition.

As a means of arousing any such persons to attempt to do some constructive work among country boys and girls, the following detailed suggestions are offered. Those who feel at all called to undertake this service may be assured that the interest grows more intense with time and effort put forth, and that the joy of accomplishing something in behalf of the young people of one’s own vicinity is perhaps unsurpassed by that of any other type of human endeavor. In the discussions to follow we assume that some farmer and his wife have heeded this divine call.

Preparation for the service

Since very few are sufficiently versatile to undertake any and every kind of social work, perhaps the first step is that of choosing a definite line of action. And let the choice be in the direction of the chooser’s leading social interest. As a means of preparation for efficient work a brief course of training is to be much commended. It may be found practicable to slip away from home during the winter months and take a farmers’ short course in one of the agricultural colleges. Or, one may find the peculiar instruction and inspiration needed by attending a convention or conference of the ablest leaders representative of the work. One of the rural-life conferences now frequently held might be found ideal. Go prepared to take notes, to ask questions, and especially to obtain a large number of literary references.

The use of helpful literature is most important at this stage. A magazine which admirably covers this particular field is Rural Manhood, published by the Association Press, New York City. Then, secure the report of the Country Life Commission, and a number of the latest works of a similar nature, some of which are listed below. Write to the Department of Agriculture at Washington for their bulletin on the organization of boys’ and girls’ clubs. Also from the extension department of the agricultural college may be obtained for the asking all available literature of this same general class.

Now, make a careful survey of the neighborhood, or the larger field, with a view to finding out the specific conditions in relation to the chosen line of service. Make lists of names and ages of the boys and girls, including all other data of a helpful nature. Proceed with the thought that the work to be undertaken is not to be merely a means of entertainment, but of education for the young.

Work persistently for social unity

In his most instructive volume “The Rural Church and Community Achievement,” President Butterfield says: “We are in great need in this country of an institution or institutions which have for their definite objective the study of the conditions and problems of farm home-life; not merely the matter of home management, or home keeping, but the fundamental relationships of the family to the development of a better community life in the rural regions.” Now, let the newly enlisted social worker assume that he is to undertake something by way of bringing about a fuller integration and unity of the people of the neighborhood.

Every new worker in the social field needs a word of warning against the rebukes and discouragements with which he may at first meet. To say the best, the neighborhood will doubtless be indifferent in regard to the newly proposed organization. But let the social worker go on persistently, unmindful of any such hindrance, even though scarcely a person in the neighborhood seems ready to join in the movement. In the typical case of valuable constructive work of this sort, it will be found at first that the masses are practically all opposed to the plan. However, as fast as it wins its way through unrelenting effort and unswerving devotion, the doubters and opposers will come over to its support. And after the movement has established itself reasonably well and achieved something worth while, the same people who once stood out will then fall enthusiastically into line and help with the undertaking.