A Center of Social Effort 207 



with the boy and his movements by knowing when 

 and where he goes, why he goes there, and whom he 

 meets in the various places visited on his rounds. 

 Thus, he may be saved from a life of debauch and 

 degradation, and that by means of providing care- 

 fully that he reach his full maturity of mind and 

 body without any knowledge of the taste of intoxi- 

 cating drinks. 



A CENTER OF COMMUNITY LIFE 



As explained in a number of preceding chapters, 

 there are being carried out several plans for bringing 

 about a social awakening in the farm districts. Some 

 of these are succeeding admirably, especially the 

 county Y.M.C.A., and in a few instances the rural 

 church. But presumably there are many thousands 

 of country districts wherein these helpful agencies 

 will not be found for many years to come. So, in 

 the following lines there will be an attempt to fur- 

 nish detailed methods and suggestions to rural par- 

 ents who are under the necessity of assisting their 

 own children in a social way. The discussion thus 

 far has been of a somewhat destructive order. Now, 

 something of a constructive nature will be offered. 



The first essential in the awakening of a clean social 

 life for the young is a center of effort. If there be' 

 no church or clubhouse of any kind within easy access 

 of all, then the farm home may be made use of for 

 this service. There are many advantages in the 



