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 that larger social and educational conception of the pastor’s work that has in it more of promise than his ministry to boys.  Whatever must be neglected, the boy should not be overlooked.

To answer this complex demand and the call of boyhood in particular the pastor must be a leader and an organizer.  Otherwise, troubles and vicissitudes await him.  In every field unused possibilities hasten the day of his departure.  Idle persons who should have been led into worthy achievement for Christ and the church fall into critical gossip, and there soon follows another siege perilous for the minister’s freight-wracked furniture, another flitting experience for his homeless children, another proof of his wife’s heroic love, and another scar on his own bewildered heart.