# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S121
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Young People’s Work 121

inence by its service. If, asa result of the U. Y. E., numerous young
people’s societies are organized or revivified, we should acknowl-
edge the work of the League. If many of these societies resolve,
with the consent of their respective congregation, to affiliate with
the League, we should be pleased. If societies here and there need
encouragement to join the League, we should give it. If additional
funds are needed to carry on this work in the local congregation,
the congregation should be willing to supply them. Through years
of experience and acquaintance with the organization we have found
that the League helps young people’s work, and we are therefore
ready to recommend League affiliation to all societies. Our readi-
ness to do so is supported by several synodical resolutions. These
resolutions express more than mere official recognition of the
League. They also declare approval of its program, a program so
varied and complete that a member of President Roosevelt’s Cabinet
pronounced it as ranking among the high three youth organizations
in the United States.*

That young people’s work is receiving more attention is in-
dicated by the proceedings of synodical District conventions, circuit
conferences, and meetings of teachers and other groups. We wish
to encourage such discussions and studies and to recommend them
to other bodies for adoption on the program.

However, it seems that this consideration should apply espe-
cially to young people of so-called junior age, those ranging from
thirteen to seventeen. These have frequently been called the dif-
ficult and awkward years of adolescence, and the problem of
development during these years has been the subject of much
careful investigation. Yet this critical period of growth and change
can be very fruitful of good if the progress of the boys and girls
is wisely directed. In addition to parental guidance and pastoral
care they need fellowship with their kind. This can be provided
in part by societies maintained especially for them. The boys and
girls in their last year at day-school can be gradually accustomed to
the idea of joining the junior society after their confirmation. The
resourceful teacher will find ways and means to work a portion of
the junior program into the school-day (topic studies, Bible-
studies, model meetings, and recreation). Thus prepared, the boy
or girl will find it comparatively easy to adjust himself or herself

* In order to define the ‘relation between the Walther League and
the Missouri Synod (one of the bodies in which the League operates),
your Board, in consultation with President Pfotenhauer,. adopted a num-
ber of principles at a meeting held March 5, 1934. Under these prin-
ciples your Board has been operating. Copies of the principles will be
supplied to the synodical reviewing committee.