BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22083, 17 July 1935, Page 3

BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

[By Chum.]

The Boys’ Brigade is not militarist a» many may suppose. It puts religion first. True, it relies upon drill and discipline both for physical and moral development. But these 1 are worked in a spirit which is the opposite _ of the militarist spirit. The Boys’ Brigade is not only a great humanising agency, but a religious agency as well. Moreover, it serves as an admirable meeting ground' for men and boys of all churches. Each company owes its allegiance to its own church. But in the large amount of work which companies “share in common, officers and boys work together, without thought of denominational distinction, for the advancement qf Christ’s kingdom among boys. THE IDEAL N.C.O. This is• what an n.c.o. thinks his ideal should be:—“ It is the ideal u.e.o’s job to anticipate the needs of the officers and to carry out their orders without dodging or' slacking. His officers must rely on him. As we sing of a greater Captain, 80_ we can say of our Boys’ Brigade captain: ‘ Surely my captain may depend on me.’ A private’is ‘in the Boys’ Brigade for the good ho gets out of it. An n.c.o. is in it for the great things he. puts into it. My ideal n.c.o. walks tlie highway of life with a smile bn his face, his head high, shoulders square, : and a ready hand for every emergency, ears and eyes only tor the decent things; playing the great game of life for the sheer. love of the game, an upright, ; downright sportsman in every sense of the word. Going down with a smile, coming up fighting; losing cheerfully, winning with modesty; pulling his weight and pushing the ideals of the 8.8. and all that it stands for.” Is this your ideal? ENTERPRISE. An English company was recently left in the unhappy position of having no suitable hall in which to meet. With courage and enterprise, the company, chaplain, and the public set to ami sufficient money was raised to enable them to purchase a hall in the town. Not content with raising the money, the officers and senior boys carried out considerable renovations, including the lifting of the old floor and laying a new one. They now have excellent headquarters, and are prepared to give facilities to other teams and companies. An. effort such as this not only cements the bond of comradeship within the company, but enlists the sympathy of members of the community. BOYS’ BRIGADE IN AFRICA. The story -of the Boys’ Brigade in and around .Shagamu, Nigeria, Africa, is a story of amazing endeavour, a story of dauntless, dusky boyhood with a grin. The Boys’ Brigade is now nine years old, and about 350 strong in those distant parts. Boys clamoured to join, and the perfect ease with which the entire male youth of the locality found itself'just within the enrolment ages, from 12 to 18 years, was astounding. . Boys of eight said they were 14, and to clinch matters brought their relatives to prove it. Eventually it was decided to admit by size, and a measuring stick of bamboo was obtained. One dusky youth who was about two inches short was suddenly found to be half an inch over. The bamboo stick had been cut short; there was a suspicious newmm afeoßt tM, eui ai ene eafi*

and the many other Boys’ Brigade activities, the boys learned to memorise the. various commands by their sound, and when memory played falsb the effect was sometimes rather comical. However, they were all triers, every one. When the uniforms arrived the general fitting and trying on provoked much interest even among the geneiai public, and there were none prouder of their uniforms than these brownskinned boys of the Niger. TO 8.8. BOYS. When you joined the 8.8. you promised to do your best to keep, its rules. The ideals are high, and it is certain that there are times when the promise will be forgotten. But this does not mean that we are not to try hard to live up to the promise made, lucre is a sacredness about the 8.8. promise. You must always do your best to be reverent, obedient, and disciplined. Remember that there are many boys outside the 8.8. ready to criticise ut adversely. If you are not loyal outsiders associate you with the movement and point the scornful finger. It is one thing to bring disgrace upon yourself; it is another thing to have the uniform discredited. 11th DUNEDIN (SOUTH DUNEDIN). The annual meeting of the Parents Committee was held after the . parade oh Monday evening. A committee of 12 was set up to aid the officers in the work of the company, and it was decided that monthly committee meetings bG The Secretary presented the annual report of the company, which showed a steady increase in the numbers or the company and a growth in its activities. The Rev. R. T. Dodds was elected president for the ensuing year, and Messrs J. Shepherd and W. Roseveare were appointed vice-presidents. A finance committee was set up to co-operate with officers in matters involving company funds. It was decided to recommend to parents the adoption of the half a crown a year scheme towards the general expenses of the company. As July 17 marks the occasion of the company’s second birthday, it was decided that the parade this coming Monday should take the form of a birthday party, to which all members should invite their parents. SOUTHERN AREA OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION. During the past fortnight the above association held three functions in connection with 8.8. week, all of which were very well attended. . The first was a boys’ gathering, held m Reid Hall, where a very enjoyable evening was spent in competitive games. On Saturday last the officers and n.c.o.s held a social at the same hall. A visitor to this meeting was Mr Sehvyn, of Invercargill, supervisor of the Lifeboys. On Sunday last a church parade was held at Gavershani Baptist Church. The parade assembled at Forbury Corner at 10.30. and from there marched along David street to the church. Thanks are due to the 8.8. Old Boys’ Band for turning out in such good numbers and helping the parade to be a success.