The boy may also be a very practical helper in the pastor’s work.  In every community there are some homes in which the pastor finds it almost impossible to create a welcome for himself.  Misconceptions of long standing, anti-church sentiments, old grievances block the way.  But if in such a home there is a boy whose loyalty the pastor has won through association in the boys’ club, at play, in camp—­anywhere and anyhow—­his eager hand will open both home and parental hearts to the wholesome friendship and kindly counsel of the minister of Christ.  When the boy’s welfare is at stake how many prejudices fade away!  The reliable sentiment of fathers and mothers dictates that he who takes time to know and help their boy is of all persons a guest to be welcomed and honored, and withal, a practical interpreter of Christianity.  The pastor whose advance agent is a boy has gracious passport into the homes where he is most needed.  He has a friend at court.  His cause is almost won before he has uttered one syllable of a formal plea.

Further, it must be apparent to all intelligent observers that the churches in most communities are in need of a more visible social sanction for their existence.  In the thought of many they are expensive and over-numerous institutions detached from the actual community life and needs.  Boys’ work constitutes one visible strand of connection with the live needs of the neighborhood; and, human nature being what it is, this tangible service is essential to the formation of a just, popular estimate of the church and the ministry.  Talk is easy and the market is always overstocked.  The shortage is in deeds, and the doubtful community is saying to the minister, “What do you do?” It is well if among other things of almost equal importance he can reply, “We are saving your boys from vice and low ideals, from broken health and ruined or useless lives, by providing for wholesome self-expression under clean and inspiring auspices.  The Corban of false sanctity has been removed; our plant and our men are here to promote human welfare in every legitimate way.”  Boys’ work affords a concrete social sanction that has in it a wealth of sentiment and far-reaching implications.

Closely allied with this is the help that the boy renders as an advertiser.  The boy is a tremendous promoter of his uppermost interest; and, while boys’ work must not be exploited for cheap and unworthy advertising purposes but solely for the good of the boy himself, the fact remains that the boy is an enterprising publicity bureau.  The minister who gives the boy his due of love, service, and friendship will unwittingly secure more and better publicity than his more scholastic and less human brother.  In the home and at school, here, there, and everywhere, these unrivaled enthusiasts sound the praises of the institution and the man.  Others of their own kind are interested, and reluctant adults are finally drawn into the current.  The man or church that is doing a real work for boys is as a city set on a hill.