Planning for Work Among Children and Adolescents

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 3, 1 April 1949, Page 5

Planning for Work Among Children and Adolescents

Foremost in our planning for the vear to come * should be our work in the various departments of Youth Service. In the “Five-Year Flan” detailed on page 7 of this issue, as set forth by our Dominion President, Miss McLay, urges the claims of youth very strongly. Now is the time to begin, before the winter is actually upon us. We have secured articles from various expert people in our Union, in which accounts of proved and tried methods are given. Suggestions art made and information is included, by means of which it is hoped every union will be able to undertake one or another, if not all forms of activity among the young. We have been told for the last few’ years, that children are already overburdened with organisations and their demands; but it is clearly shown that where our work is carefully planned and expertly and enthusiastically carried out, the response is surprisingly good. If w r e are not doing our share in the training of young peonle to take the right attitude towards the drink evil, we are failing in our taek. Any questions regarding Youtli work will be gladly received and answered through our pages. “ Y ” work will be discussed in “ The Beacon.” From Mrs. Brewer, Superintendent of “Little White Ribboners ” Department, we have the following. LITTLE WHITE RIBBONERS Oui Cradle Roll now numbers 6,739; a decrease on that of last year, but this may be due to the fact that some Unions failed to report; and so the exact figures were not obtainable. This year at Convention, a challenge was given—3,000 new Cradle Roll members in the next five years! If all the Superintendents in this department will keep this in mind, and work with renewed energy, this objective can, and will be reached; so “Hitch your wagon to a star.” This department is important and valuable because it is concerned with the welfare of the child from its infancy; and so is foundation-building. It also brings the mother in touch with our work, and so enlists her sympathy atiJ interest; helping her to realise her responsibility for her child’s moral welfare. The pity of it is that in so many l nions our Youth work ends here, if Bands of Hope and Loyal Temperance Legions a r e not functioning. If the I'emperance training could be continued through either of these departments of work, the “ Y ” branches would be flourishing ana numerous. Will members make the Youth work a

matter of special prayer, and then do all they can to remedy this great handicap to the desired 100 per cent, efficiency of our Unions 5 At the Convention, a remit was considered which recommended that children should be listed on the Cradle Roll without the mother’s signature to the pledge-card. Those in support said the work of Superintendents was handicapped when mothers refused to sign, as when namei were gained for the Roll a regular supply of temperance literature could be sent to the home with the birthday cards, and the mother’s interest and sympathy gained in this way. On the other hand it was thought that the co-operation and interest of the mother were absolutely necessary if the child was to have temperance teaching early in life; and that the pledge did not ask too much of a mother who had her child’s welfare at heart. The remit was lost. “ What worth the harvest of the soil or sea ? What use the scholar's lore, the spell of art ? Futile your science, laws and industry If the brave mother fails in her great part.” It is the work of our department to help the mother to realise the great responsibility as well as the privileges of motherhood. I hope in a future issue, to deal with other features of our L.VV.R. work. God bless all our Youth workers, and give them courage to achieve much. L. M. BREWER. Mrs. Ross has a complete run of suitable literature on the work of this dep irtment. Suggestions for working will be received gladly, and will appear in the “ White Ribbon ” as soon as possible. HOW TO START A LOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION Mrs. Spencer, of the Belmont L.T.L., sends the following stirring call. The majority of our Union members today, deplore the lack of interest shown by the young people regarding the Temperance question. There is only one solution. Make it attractive! Among the 125 Unions there must be many who could, if they WOULD, form a small group of five or six children of Primary School age. This number could easily be accommodated in the home and draw’n from the nearby homes, thus making it easier for their return, after the meeting. The difference between the L.T.L. and the Band cf Hope was clearly stated at the Convention but the choice depends entirely upon those w’ho are brave enough to “ launch out into the deep ” believing for results.

Contact the parents first and get their consent. You will find they will be interested, too. Before starting off, send to Mrs. Ross, 46 Brougham Street, W’ellington, for a copy or two of the Scientific Temperance Examination Book, 6d. each. It is a mine of information, attractively written, easy to understand and small paragraphs could he read at each meeting. Open each meeting with a children’s hymn, a prayer or Lord’s Prayer in unison and perhaps a reading from the Scriptures. Responsive reading can be VERY attractive. Eollow this with Temperance Training but make the lesson finish at an interesting point so that the next will be looked forward to! Encourage each one to take a part in the meeting by setting aside a portion of the time for items. Should you be at all musical, it makes a happy interlude to learn a few nice songs. It is splendid training for them, especially if attention is paid to pronouncing all their words correctly. Should a small programme be possible, invite the mothers in to hear them or make arrangements to entertain the local Union. The children do enjoy being useful. Then comes the vision of these few children reaching the college age and wanting to continue their connection wfith the meeting. Here is the opporunity to form a “ Y ’’ Branch and this brings them into a sphere of usefulness, because they hold office and conduct their own meetings, under the supervision of a Superintendent, Thoughts and ideas are often published in the “Y.P. Supplement ’’ and the good old “ Beacon,” which 1 am afraid, are often passed over by members of the W.C.T.U. as not being useful, simply because they are not really interested in Youth work. Don’t you think YOU could try? There is no shortage of material to work upon for the children are all round us, waiting to be taught. Mrs. Ross can assiM you with the books mentioned previously, and with our paper, there should be sufficient to work upon for quite a while. Games that can be played around a table and easy competitions can all find a place in the programmes, making every meeting a pleasant anticipation. Almosi five years ago, six children met in a home in Belmont for a small meeting. They are now members of a very flourishing “ Y ” Branch, younger children are filling up their places and the work goes steadily moving forward. The examination results prove that they have learned the lessons well and are fully equipped to lake their places as good citizens of the Dominion. How many will respond to th"s appeal? It would

cause a good many hearts to rejoice, if the “ Ribbon ” had to print a list of names of those who had decided to sow the good seed of Temperance in the hearts of a few children, because “the harvest is great and the labourers are few.” ADA SPENCER. THE BAND OF HOPE f . , # This old form oi organisation seems to be coming back into favour. Interest is keen in several places; and a line response is being made. From Mrs. Thompson, of Opotiki, we have the following details regarding a most successful Band. In preparation for the opening meeting, prayer sessions are held. This is felt to be all-important; and guidance and inspiration come as the result. Then, and this is not an easy piece of work, homes are visited, and parents are invited to bring, or send their children on a given evening. Some organising is necessary for this; but it is exceedingly well worth while. Then the programme is prepared. This is very carefully done; for the whole success of the work depends on the interest engendered. Every avenue is explored. The musical people are pleased to help. Junior orchestras, junior choirs, instrumentalists, all contribute in turn throughout the season. But the great attraction is the regularly held Singing Competition; which deserves a paragraph all to itself. “ Topical ” choruses are held in readiness for use each evening. Mrs. Thompson is expert in providing these. Here are one or two examples, taken from the B. of H. Hymnal. Tune, “Three Blind Mice.” “ Sly old beer, Sly old beer. See what it does, See what it does. It runs away with your wits and wealth It runs away with your strength and health And silently, steadily does it by stealth That sly old beer.” Tune, “ Pack Up Your Troubles.” “ Shut up the public houses one by one And smile, smile, smile. While you’re a member of the Band of Hope, Fight on, that’s the style. What’s the use of Alcohol? It’s cursed us such a while So, shut up the public houses every one And sinile, smile, smile.” These, and others similar, are supplied (duplicating is not expensive). A good pianist is put in charge, and the “ Band ’’ proceeds to learn one of these by singing it a few times. Then, it becomes a Test piece. Competitors gaily take their turns. A competent judge is asked to adjudicate; and marks are given to each entrant. These are kept till the end of the year, and then \roph’es arc awarded.

Following on this, which is soon put through, comes the Address. Various well qualified people willingly take their turn. Demonstrations, experiments, diagrams and pictures are freely used.

During last winter, the following features appeared on the programmes at different times: the Salvation Army Band, the Methodist Choir, the Anglican Church Choir (Boys), Temperance Films, a Temperance Play, pupils of a local dancing class, Maori children with their own programme, and a special Cup presentation (for singing), presentation of posies to helpers. Recitation. A collection is taken up, mostly of pennies and threepences. So large is the attendance that very good sums are thus collected. Now, all this is done in the space of ONE HOUR. Starting promptly at seven, however small the numbers may be, not a minute is wasted, and by eight o’clock, the meeting is over. This is held to be one of the reasons of its success. All the Ministers, large numbers of parents and others attend. Devotions are conducted at the opening. Sure!* there is some inspiration here. It is ar. idea to have ladies at the door with something nice to eat as the audience departs, apples, sweets, buns, etc., providing just the last touch to a happy evening. From this, it is a natural transition to the fine Youth Group work being carried out at Nelson. Our new Dominion Vice-President, Mrs. Toomer, with her members, has hit upon a very successful line of approach to the adolescent; and we give the account provided by Mrs. Toomer herself. NELSON YOUTH WORK Our Youth work was commenced last year in much fear and trembling and after much deliberation it was decided to venture. A Special Committee was set up by the President to draw up a plan, to contact speakers, to make suitable arrangements for the feeding of the hoped-for multitude and for the general smooth running of the meetings. A special letter of invitation was sent to all Bible Classes inviting them to come to our Hall for h Youth Rally, tea provided, and the Guest Speaker’s name was given, time four o’clock. On the Sunday afternoon six Union members, together with the President, met at the Hall to prepare the tea, arrange flowers, put out the hymnbooks and generally make the Hall attractive. Then came a few anxious moments, had we ventured too far, would the young people come, were they sufficiently interested in Temperance to make the effort, was the time right? and a few more doubts in the same vein. How little we needed to doubt, God wonderfully blessed the venture, in ones and twos, and in groups, came young men and women until close on forty were seated, the Song Leader called for favourite hymns and for half an hour

the songs rolled out. Then the Guest Speaker took over for the next halt hour and kept his audience interested for, we discovered, these young people had not only come to get but they had come to give of their interest and attention. Tea came next and amidst much laughter and bantering the chairs were turned and the youthful congregation found themselves well mixed together, Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodists, Salvationists, Church of Christ and Baptists. Sandwiches, scones, tea, cocoa, or soft drink n were provided and much to our delight the food supply held out. After tea came a Quiz Session run by the President, Bible questions and Temperance questions intermixed which caused amusement and kept things moving. The last quarter of an hour the Song Leader again took over, and how they sang. Then at twenty minutes past six o’clock the President closed with the Benediction and the gathering dispersed to their own churches for the evening service. So the work has gone on each month with as many as 83 attending. Speakers have been found each month, men and women who have been glad to come and help and who have expressed pleasure in the work which is being accomplished. We have been well blessed in having good Song Leaders as so much depends upon this important part of the meeting. Programmes have been varied, sometimes Bible Quiz Sessions, other times Temperance Films and always a good Speaker who stresses the necessity for Temperance. A venture in faith, a venture that God has blessed, a venture that has brought joy to those women of Nelson Union who launched out into the deep and then cut the shore lines, such a difficult thing to do, and simply clung to the promises of God and proved again that “ the promises of God are true to those who believe.” TEMPERANCE EDUCATION NEW PLYMOUTH Mrs. Stewart It may be of interest to readers to hear a little about the part taken by the W.C.T.U. during the “Home and Family ” week which was held in New Plymouth in Octolxer. Request was made for a section ir. the Exhibition Department; where a large quantity of Temperance literature, in the form of leaflets occupied the main place; also such oooklets as “ Scientific Temperance,” “ Keeping Fit,” and “ Be on top of your Form.” These latter were for sale, hut the former were given away to the many interested folk who came our way. In this distribution, the facts about the Enemy Alcohol were introduced into many homes. Boys and girls especially received the leaflets eagerly: our one regret being that so few o f these were written for children. The num-

ber of fine posters with pertinent Temperance Facts arranged on the wall above our stall attracted much notice. These gave a clear idea to the public of the aims and objects of the W.C.T.U. On another table, several practical displays were arranged. No. 1 was two saucers oi wheat, one saucer having fine, healthy green shoots, this having been moistened with water only. The other saucer remained hard and lifeless, having been watered with water and spirits. No. 2 was a b< ttle of whisky, with the price plainly marked, and a < antity of tins of wholesome food bought for the same price. No. 3 showed a bottle of beer with the price plainly marked, and five bottles of milk bought tor the same price. These gave a fine opportunity to tell the young people of the harmful effects of alcohol upon the human body. ‘Y.P. SUPPLEMENTS,” HAWERA Further news of Union work among the young comes from Ifawera. The Union here sends out 500 “Y.P. Supplements” monthly; and run a Picture Colouring Competition of their own. About 300 pictures are returned to Mrs. Barron, who deals" with this work. A list of prizewinners is published in the “ Y.P. Supplement ” for this month. The interest taken shows that some result does follow the sending of the little sheet. If nothing more than this can be done by Unions, it is worth while to do it. TEMPERANCE EXAMINATIONS Preparations for these should be begun early. A good idea is to appoint a member of each church from the Union, to discuss the matter with their Sunday School Superintendents; and try to arouse interest in the plan. The pamphlets should be taken, and eacn Union should have a good supply on hand for those who may ask for them. If a class can be formed, with an experienced person to lead it, for perhaps half an hour weekly (after school on Monday is a popular time), the syllabus will soon be covered and the chidren can become really familiarised with the facts in good time. This is one of our best methods of reaching children and making the facts tdl their own story. ESSAY AND POSTER COMPETITIONS At Convention it was agreed that these competitions should be put into the hands of a special committee. Particulars as to dates, subjects, and conditions will be published later. In the meantime, Unions should accustom themselves to the idea of doing all possible through their contacts with children, parents, teachers, ministers, and all youth workers in their districts, to create sympathetic interest. When the subject is known, members might do worse than to discuss it in all its aspects in their Union meetings. They

might learn something new for themselves; and would certainly he in a I»osition to help and encourage children to enter. A great deal might he done in this way to increase the number of entries; which is reallv not large enough for the good prizes offered. The pamphlets are two in number, one for the Preparatory, Junior and Intermediate Grades, and one for the Senior Grade. They are really excellently prepared, being the work of our Temperance Examination Superintendent, Miss C. Jamieson, of Palmerston North; and equally valuable for preparation for Essay and Poster Competitions and the Examinations. They cost 6d. each and can be obtained from Mrs. Ross at Headquarters.