THE BOYS' BRIGADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 20

THE BOYS' BRIGADE

NOTES OF THE MONTH

(By "Haversack.") The boy of today is the man of tomorrow. "The ultimate worth of a Boys' Brigade officer depends upon how much he can see in the ordinary boy. It is impossible not to have felt the sheer fascination of a boy, his carelessness, his impudence, his recklessness, his waywardness, and with it all his truth of heart, but beyond these qualities there is, of course, in every boy the mystery and the charm of a boundless possibility. That lurching imp, with the tousled head, may yet develop undreamt-of powers and leave a deep mark upon his nation. Towards such mystical possibility reverence is not an unseemly attitude. But Christ sees something more in a boy, namely, a soul born with an eternal destiny." Most churches are awake to the importance of the boy—this is not usually denied—but just how to cater for such an important fellow is often found a problem difficult of solution. The problem is not —or should not be— merely "how to provide some interest so that the boy may not easily drift from Church influence," but rather "by what method can the Church provide adequate training which will mould the character and grip the interest ofthe adolescent boy and not only retain him for the Church during the years of. adolescence, but eventually bring him through into full church membership and Christian service." The. answer to the question is "the Boys' Brigade"—tried and tested for over fifty years. It is the strongest religious movement for boys in the worJd, and continually increasing in numbers, efficiency, and usefulness. The Church is crying out for a boys' movement all her own, with a spiritual atmosphere, Church government, and effective activities. The Boys' Brigade is so constituted that each company formed becomes a part of its own Church, and is completely governed by its Church. It has the greatest of Christian aims, and it has long passed the experimental stage. It is effective. The Job—How to Do It. One of the secrets of success in Boys' Brigade work is unswerving loyalty to the Boys' Brigade Manual. The efficient Boys' Brigade officer is the man who knows his Manual from cover to cover, and is prepared to carry on his work in the brigade on these lines which are the result of the experience of many years. If you approach the work of your company thoughtfully you will find it of absorbing interest, and it will prove to you the most vital part of all Church work, but remember—it is a part of Church work: Be careful to see that you never forget, your loyalty to the Church. The Wider Outlook. Officers should not isolate themselves in their own company affairs. Get to know Boys' Brigade men wherever you can. There is always mutual benefit when Boys' Brigade men get together, and the buttonhole badge of the brigade is an introduction which will ensure a cordial welcome wherever you move in Boys' Brigade circles. The world needs the team spirit, and your team is not your company, nor even your battalion, but the whole brigade. Read your Boys' Brigade Gazette. Attend your battalion ,and Dominion Council meetings whenever possible, and absorb the Boys' Brigade spirit. There is no limit to the scope of Boys' Brigade interests, and those who have served the Boys' Brigade most faithfully and successfully state that they have got more out of it than they were privileged to put into it. Wellington Drill Competition. The annual competition for the "French Cup" was held on July 2. Ser-geant-Major Duncan, of Defence Headquarters, was judge. Five companies competed and the results are as under: 2nd Wellington Company (Mornington Baptist), 92.9 points, 1; 3rd Wellington (Brooklyn Baptist), 92.7, 2; Ist Wellington (Miramar Baptist). 91.3, 3; sth Wellington (Worser Bay Methodist), 73.4 4; 6th Wellington (St. Giles' Presbyterian), 57.1, 5. The judge commented upon the very high standard of the drill and expressed his pleasure with the whole brigade. The Annual Meetings. Headquarters have notified that the annual meetings will be held in Auckland during Labour Day weekend, October 24, 25, and 26. Registration forms have been issued to captains and these should be completed as early as possible, and as many officers as possible should attend the meetings, which will provide helpful discussion, inspiration, fellowship, and interest. The swimming shield granted by the Herbert Smith Trust for annual competition among the companies of the Wellington Battalion has arrived from England, and is a magnificent trophy. The shield will be suitably engraved and will be on view in due course. First Aid Examinations. During the last few weeks many brigade boys in Wellington have passed examinations, elementary and advanced, in first. aid knowledge. The 8.8. gpes in for quite a lot of intensive ambulance training and encourages its boys to continue with the various ambulance associations upon completing their 8.8. service. In this way many boys have been able to qualify for awards and have gained a knowledge which will prove of very real value in after life and in some cases prove the inspiration to deeper study. Notes. The army of boy cyclists seems to grow larger and larger. 8.8 cyclists may now sport a fine pennant on their bicycles. It has the 8.8. crest on a blue groimd, and is sold with a chromium steel "rod to attach to the front mudguard. Boys who have not got their pennants yet can get them now through their captain. "What qualities in a 8.8. boy should count for promotion?" was the question submitted to the boys of the brigade in this year's almanac competition. Most of the essays show that devotion to duty, thought for others, keenness on everything the company does, and loyalty to the Christian ideal °f the 8.8. are in the eyes of the boys ot the brigade among the qualities an n.c.o. should have. It is hoped that whm the Awarua arrives from England early in September, Mr. F. Scott Miller, the Dominion president, will be aboard. Mr. Miller has been away from New Zealand for the past fifteen months.