Mabel Wynn

In Short

Mabel Wynn, also known as Those Boys, is a late-nineteenth-century Christian juvenile novel by Faye Huntington that chronicles the profound spiritual and moral awakening of a group of unruly boys in the town of Westville. Spearheaded by the earnest and steadfast Mabel Wynn, a newly established Sunday-school effort challenges traditional apathy and worldly distractions. Through patience, prayer, and personal trial, Mabel and her allies guide the youths—including Herbert Bradford, Henry Trafton, Perry Morse, and Duncan McNair—away from recklessness and toward a life of principled devotion. The book has endured as a classic example of period Sunday-school literature due to its earnest depiction of youthful struggles, moral accountability, and earnest community values.

The Story

The narrative opens in the quiet town of Westville, which experiences a mild social tremor when a progressive Sunday-School Institute is proposed despite the skepticism of conservative townsfolk like Deacon Griffin and Mrs. Culver. Mabel Wynn, a young woman of comfortable means and deep religious conviction, decides to take an active hand in teaching, focusing her energies on a class of local boys. Her initial efforts meet with varying responses; while some youths remain indifferent or openly rebellious, others begin to grapple with the demands of Christian living.

Among the boys, Herbert Bradford struggles inwardly against the quiet promptings of his conscience, while Henry Trafton surprises Mabel by immediately embracing the call to follow the "White Line" of duty. Life in Westville proceeds with ordinary trials, church controversies, community gatherings, and youthful escapades. A severe accident leaves Henry with a permanent limp, a trial he accepts with a remarkable grace that transforms his perspective on prayer and suffering. Meanwhile, other boys like Perry Morse and Duncan McNair navigate the slippery slopes of peer pressure, youthful pride, and secret rebellions. Perry falls into disrepute after a dishonesty scandal at work, leading to his temporary ruin in Westville before he seeks a fresh start in the West. Duncan, too, runs away to a larger city, only to be tracked down and brought home by the steadfast kindness of Dr. Myers and Judge McNair.

As the months pass, Mabel marries Judge McNair in a quiet Thanksgiving ceremony, shifting her home life while maintaining her deep interest in the welfare of Westville's youth. The community experiences seasons of spiritual revival mingled with worldly distractions, such as competing scientific lectures and social ambitions. Several boys drift away or stumble through bad company, yet the persistent prayers of Mabel, her husband, and their associates exert a gravitational pull upon the wanderers. Years unfold to reveal the gradual ripening of character among the group. Letters from distant places arrive from former castaways like Nick Turner and Perry Morse, detailing their struggles and ultimate redemptions. The book closes upon a matured circle of men who, though still imperfect, have firmly anchored their lives to the principles instilled during their youth.

How It Unfolds

• The consecration begins — Mabel faces familial skepticism and social hesitation in Westville as she insists on taking an active, unconventional role in religious instruction.
• The watchword takes root — Struggling with private convictions, Herbert and Henry confront the demands of the "White Line" promptings, leading Henry to an unexpected physical trial.
• The boys' meetings form — An informal gathering place emerges where Westville's youth bring their daily trials, receiving sympathetic counsel and spiritual grounding from Mabel.
• Deviations and distractions — Town rivalries, shifting schedules, and worldly entertainments constantly threaten the stability of the religious classes, drawing some youths astray.
• Crisis and departure — Perry faces public disgrace following an episode of dishonesty at work, while Duncan runs away to the city before being reclaimed by Dr. Myers.
• The final ingathering — Years of patient prayer and correspondence bear fruit as the wayward youths settle into honorable manhood and embrace lasting faith.

The People

• Mabel Wynn is the central guiding light of the novel, a well-to-do young woman who wants nothing less than to genuinely direct the hearts of Westville's youth toward Christ. She faces maternal anxiety and social resistance, ultimately marrying Judge McNair and continuing her quiet ministry of influence.
• Herbert Bradford starts as a restless, unsatisfied youth who tries hard to evade his spiritual obligations. Hemmed in by his conscience and framed mottoes, he matures into a steadfast young man who actively supports his peers.
• Henry Trafton is initially portrayed as the most unpromising boy in the class, yet he responds immediately to instruction. Left with a permanent physical disability after an accident, he transforms his suffering into an anchor for deeper spiritual maturity.
• Perry Morse possesses strong capabilities but suffers from poor home training and a reckless temperament. He falls into dishonesty, loses his place in Westville, and must struggle through exile in the West to redeem his character.
• Duncan McNair is full of fun, mischief, and pride, resisting religious earnestness through mockery and secret escapades. Brought back from a foolish city adventure by Dr. Myers, he slowly overcomes his reluctance and joins the circle of believers.

In Its Own Voice

"My all is on the altar." Mabel's father reflects upon her unshakeable conviction when supporting her desire to teach against her mother's worldly objections.

"I just found out that God has his own way of answering prayers, and when we don't ask for the right thing, or forget to say, 'Thy will be done,' it seems as though he just took us at our word..." Henry Trafton calmly explains his perspective to a dismayed visitor after learning he will require a crutch for the rest of his life.

"The Westville folks never could forget that I had been Nick Turner the loafer, and it wasn't pleasant for a fellow to hear it whispered..." Nick Turner writes home from his new life on the western prairie, describing the fresh start that allowed him to outgrow his tarnished reputation.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the practical integration of religious faith into the messy, mundane realities of daily adolescent life. Huntington argues that true moral reform cannot be achieved through superficial conformity or social prestige, but requires a fundamental reorientation of the heart toward absolute obedience and spiritual discipline. The narrative questions the efficacy of cold, traditional formalism in the church, contrasting it with active, sympathetic mentorship. It examines the nature of answered prayer—suggesting that divine responses often arrive through unexpected trials rather than easy comforts—and confronts the heavy responsibility society bears when it fails to offer grace and a second chance to fallen youth.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate slow-paced, character-driven nineteenth-century domestic fiction will find much to admire here. It feels earnest, deeply grounded in a specific religious community, and rich in period texture, capturing the exact cadence of Victorian moral earnestness. Reading it today offers a window into the historical roots of American Sunday-school culture, portraying a world where neighborhood socializing, church committees, and parlor conversations held immense weight. Modern readers must navigate period attitudes, occasional heavy-handed didacticism, and the unhurried pacing characteristic of late-Victorian juvenile literature. Yet, beneath the archaic phrasing lies a surprisingly tender and psychologically astute portrait of adolescent rebellion, peer pressure, and the quiet, enduring power of patience. What stays with you long after closing the book is its honest acknowledgment that moral growth is a slow, stumbling journey rather than a sudden transformation, beautifully embodied by the flawed yet earnest figures of "those boys."