The Literary Society Program 213 



of events is already being successfully tried in a 

 number of places. For example, at the mid-week 

 evening service, there is given first an hour to the 

 prayer meeting or the discussion of the religious top- 

 ics and the church work. After that, the scene is 

 changed into one of clean, wholesome amusement 

 with the special thought of giving the young people 

 social entertainment and training. It has been 

 found that this very method of uniting the religious 

 and social service under a carefully planned program 

 sometimes more than doubles the attendance. Of 

 course the first essential for the success of such a 

 meeting is that an able leader be in charge of it. 



2. A country literary society. In times gone 

 by the country literary society has played a mighty 

 part indirectly in the building of the nation. Many 

 a statesman or leader of the people has received his 

 first aid and inspiration at the little old country 

 "literary and debating society." There is no good 

 reason why this same general form of society might 

 not continue to do its effective work. However, in 

 its best form, there will be some additions to the old 

 procedure of merely debating the important public 

 questions. The program makers may well have in 

 mind the ideal of bringing out every form of talent 

 latent among the young of the community. It is 

 especially advisable that every young attendant be 

 given an invitation to do the part of which he is most 

 capable, and that he be urged to do it. It is quite 



