rom publication of most of
the material in the _Biblical World_ have encouraged this attempt to
present a brief handbook for ministers and laymen who engage in church
work for boys.

ALLAN HOBEN

CHICAGO, August 19, 1912

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. THE CALL OF BOYHOOD
II. AN APPROACH TO BOYHOOD
III. THE BOY IN VILLAGE AND COUNTRY
IV. THE MODERN CITY AND THE NORMAL BOY
V. THE ETHICAL VALUE OF ORGANIZED PLAY
VI. THE BOY'S CHOICE OF A VOCATION
VII. TRAINING FOR CITIZENSHIP
VIII. THE BOY'S RELIGIOUS LIFE
IX. THE CHURCH BOYS' CLUB

CHAPTER I

THE CALL OF BOYHOOD

The Christian apologetic for today depends less upon the arguments of
speculative theology and the findings of biblical science than upon
sociological considerations. The church is dealing with a pragmatic
public which insists upon knowing what this or that institution
accomplishes for the common good. The deep and growing interest in
social science, the crying needs that it lays bare, together with
socialistic dreams of human welfare, compel Christian workers to pay
more heed to the life that now is, since individualistic views of
salvation in the world to come do not fully satisfy the modern
consciousness.

Hence the ministry is compelled more and more to address itself to the
salvation of the community and the nation after the fashion of the
Hebrew prophets. Lines of distinction also between what is religious and
what is secular in education and in all human intercourse have become
irregular or dim; and the task of bringing mankind to fullness and
perfection of life has become the task alike of the educator, the
minister, the legislator, and the social worker. In fact, all who in any
capacity put their hands to this noble undertaking are co-workers with
Him whose divine ideal was to be consummated in the Kingdom of God on
earth.

The ministry, therefore, is taking on a great variety of forms of
service, and the pastor is overtaxed. The church, moreover, is slow to
recognize the principle of the division of labor and to employ a
sufficient number of paid officers. Only the pressing importance of work
for boys can excuse one for suggesting another duty to the conscientious
and overworked pastor. Already too much has been delegated to him alone.
Every day his acknowledged obligations outrun his time and strength, and
he must choose but a few of the many duties ever pressing to be done.
Yet there is no phase of t