"Say Fellows—": Fifty Practical Talks with Boys on Life's Big Issues

In Short

This collection of fifty "practical talks" serves as a moral manual for boys, originally adapted from Sunday school lessons. The author addresses his readers as "fellows," using conversational, masculine language to connect biblical narratives with the everyday challenges of school, sports, and ambition. By framing Christian life as a "game" or a "big event," the book seeks to make religious devotion feel active, competitive, and relevant. It has survived as a historical artifact of how traditional Sunday schools engaged youth, emphasizing character, service, and the struggle against unseen moral enemies.

The Story

The progression of the book is not a traditional narrative but an accumulation of wisdom, moving from the internal formation of character to outward acts of service. It opens with the acknowledgment that boys are "motor-minded"—always looking for speed, action, and purpose. The author begins by validating this energy, suggesting that God has a specific "life-work" for every boy, and that finding this task is the most important journey one can undertake. He quickly pivots to the reality of opposition, warning that just as an athlete faces a physical competitor, the Christian boy faces an "invisible" enemy—the devil—who is described as a cunning strategist waiting to trip up the unwary.

As the talks advance, the author anchors these abstract spiritual concepts in the lives of biblical figures like Solomon, David, and the Good Samaritan. He uses Solomon’s temple as a lesson in humility, arguing that any success a boy achieves is a gift from God and should be used to exalt the "Giver." This leads to a recurring theme: the importance of "keeping fit." The author treats spiritual discipline with the same rigor one might apply to training for a track meet or a ball game. He draws sharp contrasts between the "Pharisee" approach—characterized by self-importance and outward ritual—and the "Good Samaritan" model, which values action, mercy, and the willingness to help those considered beneath one’s station.

The arc of the book reaches its climax in the call to "tell" the story of faith. The author argues that words are insufficient; the only way to truly share one’s beliefs is through a lived life. He illustrates this with stories of young men who, through selfless dedication to others, transformed their environments, such as a college president in China who prioritizes faith over political power. However, the author does not shy away from the failures that can derail a boy’s progress. He recounts the fall of King David, using it as a sobering reminder that even those with a "winning streak" can lose their way through pride or the desire for short-cuts.

The journey concludes with a focus on patience and the paradox of effort. The author teaches that "waiting"—whether for a kite to fly or for one’s career to bloom—is not idleness, but a period of silent growth. He encourages boys to embrace their current limitations and "do the thing next at hand." He concludes that the ultimate purpose of a boy’s life is to link his own limited strength to the limitless power of Jesus. By the end, the message is clear: the Christian life is a rigorous, demanding, and ultimately heroic enterprise that requires courage, humility, and constant action.

How It Unfolds

The motor-minded boy The author acknowledges that boys are wired for action and speed, arguing that this energy is not a nuisance but a divine engine. He encourages readers to stop viewing their potential as a mystery and start seeking the "perfect fit" of their God-given life-work.

The invisible adversary The tone shifts to a tactical warning about an unseen, clever enemy who knows every boy’s weaknesses. He frames the spiritual life as a high-stakes competition where one must be constantly on guard against hidden sabotage.

The secret of success The author uses the story of Solomon to distinguish between ego and true greatness. He insists that real success is a loan from God, and the only "sporting" way to handle success is to ensure God gets the glory.

The call to action Moving past theory, the book demands practical, immediate intervention in the lives of others. The author uses the Good Samaritan to illustrate that a "good sport" is someone who gets off his donkey to help a stranger in trouble.

The necessity of waiting The author addresses the frustration of being held back by circumstances. He explains that waiting is not a waste of time but a necessary stage of growth for the "moral fiber" of a man.

The final stand The closing chapters emphasize the importance of endurance and the "paradox" of service. The author leaves the reader with a charge to remain committed to their principles, regardless of failure or opposition, until they receive the final "well done."

The People

The book centers on two types of figures: the "fellow"—the developing boy reader—and his mentors, both human and divine. The "fellow" is portrayed as an energetic, ambitious youth who wants to matter in the world but is easily distracted by pride, impatience, or the urge to take the easy path. He is the one who must learn to distinguish between his own ego and his duty.

The author, Wade C. Smith, acts as a coach or older brother. He is a mediator who translates complex theological concepts into the language of the locker room and the playground. He is "versatile," possessing a deep well of anecdotes—from his own experiences with fishing and woodworking to historical tales of Lord Clive. He holds the boys to a high standard, refusing to coddle them while offering constant encouragement.

Biblical figures also populate these pages, but they are stripped of their stained-glass image. David is a star athlete who fumbles the game; Saul is a man whose "zeal without knowledge" destroys good material; the Good Samaritan is a "good sport" who refuses to pass by the injured. These figures are not icons but case studies in human behavior, showing the reader how to act and, occasionally, how to avoid making catastrophic mistakes. They serve as mirrors for the boys, reflecting their own potential for both great service and great failure.

In Its Own Voice

"It is plain that this grammar-school teacher had never heard of the Bible character who had interested her pupil, but the author of this book knows how to spell 'Jehu' to a questioning boy."

The author emphasizes his ability to meet boys on their own terms, using their specific interests to bridge the gap between their world and the Bible.

"The devil's finger is in all our affairs, and we can keep nothing secret from him."

This line serves as a stark, urgent reminder of the author’s view that moral vigilance is a constant, inescapable requirement for the Christian life.

"There come times when a fellow must act, and act promptly, or lose his chance to clinch a good thing."

This captures the author’s primary argument: that faith is not a passive state but a call to immediate, decisive action.

What It's Really About

The central argument of the book is that the Christian life is the ultimate expression of masculinity and character. The author rejects the notion that faith is a soft or passive pursuit, instead framing it as a "game" that requires total commitment, self-control, and the courage to serve others at personal cost. The underlying questions concern how a boy can grow into a man of lasting influence without losing his way in the pursuit of wealth or fame. The author posits that the answer lies in a complete surrender to a higher power, which he argues is the only way to remain "invincible" in the face of life’s inevitable setbacks.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical perspectives on education and character formation will find this book a fascinating window into the early twentieth-century American Sunday school movement. It reads like a long conversation with a mentor from a different era—warm, direct, and unapologetically firm. Those who appreciate the vernacular of the "Roaring Twenties," with its references to "flivvers," "newsbutches," and "pep," will find the prose engagingly rhythmic and spirited.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book’s period-specific attitudes. Its reliance on strict gender roles and its blunt, sometimes aggressive, framing of religious duty may feel jarring or outdated. The author’s insistence on a very traditional, binary view of moral success and failure is characteristic of his time, and the length of the fifty talks may feel repetitive if read all at once. Yet, for those interested in the history of youth ministry or simply curious about the rhetorical style used to reach boys a century ago, the book remains a sincere, earnest, and often surprisingly practical guide to living a principled life. What stays with you is the author’s relentless, cheerful optimism that every boy, no matter how small his talent, has a significant part to play in the "big game" of life.