BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21509, 6 September 1933, Page 2

BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

[By Chum.]

During the past three weeks we have discussed the first three sides of the four square ideal. The social side with its friendships, the physical side with all its fun and muscle building, and the mental side with its training of the mind. This week, however, we come to the fourth and most important side of the square, the spiritual side. The first three sides are undoubtedly big and important sides of 8.8. work. Through them a boy is turned out of bis company at the. age of eighteen well fitted to take his place in the affairs of the community. But if these were the highest ideals the brigade had it must fail in some of its work among the boys of the world, its ideal is the highest possible. “ The advancement of Christ’s kingdom amongst boys ” and so the spiritual side is recognised always as being five most important of our work. The writer recently read with interest an article in the ‘ Gazette ’ called ‘ What is a Boy’s Religion ? ’ The gist of the article was. that the kind of religion which appeals to a boy is the one which talks of a Living Leader, one that does not bar good healthy sport or clean fun, but rather encourages it as being part of the life our Great Captain would have us live. No Brigade parade is complete without worship. Officers and boys alike realise that if we deviate in the slightest from our object our organisation will lose the God-given influence that it has been able to use. Talking of “ that which matters most ” makes many of us think of the 8.8. camps it has been our privilege to attend. There in the big marquee, in the quiet of the evening, religion has taken on a different meaning; it has become more real, more a part of us, it lias become as a Dunedin Brigade captain has said, ” not an insurance policy, but a life to live.”

COMPANY REPORTS. —Bth Dunedin.— There was a good muster at the weekly parade on Tuesday last, and the usual routine work was .carried through as well as special training for the prospective n.c.o.s. The company Bible class on Sunday mornings continues to thrive. The company is looking forward to camp, where it hopes to bo well represented. —Old Boys’ Band. — In preparation for engagements ahead the band is showing move enthusiasm in its work, and on Saturday last, under the baton of Mr Jas. Dixon, showed a marked advance. Mr C. Millar serves the band well on Wednesday evenings when there are good attendances. The learners’ class shows _ healthy growth, and in view of the prize offered by Mr C. Clark, the 'keenness of the members is apparent. —3rd Dunedin (Roslyn).— A novelty social was held in place of tho usual parade last week. There was a good attendance, and a very happy evening was spent in games and amusements. A fruit salad supper brought the evening to a close. First Dunedin.— The Ist Dunedin Grenfells held their weekly parade on Friday last. Lft. Read is coaching the boys for a gym, display, which it is intended to give next parents’ evening. The boys played a Soccer match against Sunshine and defeated them by 1 to 0, Private W. Gibb scoring the goal. —4th Dunedin (Kensington).— Friday night’s parade proved to bo one of the best parades tho company has had for some time, the most pleasing feature being that there were three new recruits. Signalling, first aid, ■ march-past practice, company conference, and games occupied most of tho evening. At the company conference it was decided to bold a fair to raise money for camp and uniforms, and so all boys have a busy month in front of them. The company is also making a case in which to put tho seven-a-sido Soccer trophy. —7th Dunedin. — Camp is now beginning to occupy the thoughts of members, and with contributions to the company bank coming in well, a record attendance is promised at North Tnieri. Two recruits last Friday night now bring tho membership to twenty-six, just four short of tho aim for this session. THE LIFE BOYS. Another week has passed, and tho approaching football tournament is occupying every boy’s attention, several of the teams are practising diligently, and competition should be very keen. I am just a little disappointed to noto that only three leaders have sent in a report on their last parade, and will hope for better results next week; tho school holidays have very naturally affected the attendance at parades to a considerable extent, but it is very gratifying to seo the enthusiasm with which the boys throw themselves into the work, and by tho time this report is in print every team should be working at top pressure again. During the course of the next few weeks it is the writer’s intention to give readers a glimpse of tho wonderful work being done among the young by the leaders of the Life Boys,_ and this time we will accompany the inspecting officer on bis rounds. This officer’s duty is to visit teams, offer suggestions, etc., and report to the District Council on tho efficiency, etc., of each team visited, with the result that the council is kept informed at all times of the working of teams. The first team we will visit is the Ist Dunedin (Caversham Baptist). After being introduced to the loader in charge (Mr F. B. Carter) and his four group leaders, we witness a particularly smart fall-in. The team is divided into four groups, which form up on three sides of a square, tho leader in charge taking up his position on the fourth side. The team looks very smart, practically all the hoys being in uniform, in spite of the fact that a number of now faces are in evidence since our last visit.

Wo will linger with this, the first team to be formed in Dunedin, long enough to witness the flag raise and singing of the National Anthem, which form the opening ceremony of the parade, but must now hurry on the second Dunedin team, which is under the joint leadership of Mr Johnson and Mr Keith Garden (by the by, this is a groat team to be in, as Big Brother Bill, the friend of every boy, is chaplain) . Wo notice a tremendous improvement in the status of this team of late, due principally to the valuable assistance given by the preparatory leader, Mr F. H. Carter. (Wo must interrupt our discourse here to say that tho preparatory leader’s duty is to give a helping hand to any lender who requires assistance or advice on any matter whatever, and impetus given this team is ample evidence of his efficiency. Ho is, of course, available to any leader who asks his assists nee.) On our arrival we find this team indulging in gymnastics, and it is a real treat to sen tho manner in which they perform on the springboard, horse, etc. Not only is the character of the boy being

developed to the fullest, but his physical being is considerably improved by this healthy exercise. Wo have visited two teams this evening, and next week will continue with glimpses of the working of other teams. If any leader can supply the writer with information which would be of interest to the boys th rough those columns they are asked to lot him have same, as it'is our desire to make the Life Boy notes an item to bo looked forward to each week. NOTES. The leader in charge of the First Dunedin (Cavorsham) Life Boy Team reports that the team hold its weekly parade on Monday evening last, when the attendance was not quite up to standard, on account of the school holidays. This team is training hard for the football shield, and the coach, Mr G. Reid, reports good progress; it looks very much as though the shield will once again hang in their parade room. Group Loader Miss E. Todd is teaching the boys knot tieing, and they are becoming very efficient in this work. A cordial invitation is extended to any leader to visit the team any Monday night. Sixth Dunedin Team.—The school holidays affected the parades for the last fortnight, but the keenness of those present compensated for the small attendance. It is Imped to bo back to full strength on Monday night, however, when a visit is expected from Mr Carter and Mr Grocott. A very interesting talk on ‘ Safety First ’ for the seal system was given by Group Leader Craig. Lender in charge of the Eighth Dunedin Team reports that, despite the fact that school holidays took their toll of our members a good parade of eighteen boys attended on Friday last. The group system is proving a success, and for Inst week’s parade the Blues, under Groun Loader 11. Thompson, headed the list.