BB NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22474, 9 November 1934, Page 12

BB NOTES

THE LIFE BOYS. Nobody knows better than parents of boys between 9 and 12, the restless energy of boys of that age. The Life Boys exist to bring that energy into good and safe channels. The life boys are controlled by the Boys’ Brigade. While a Life Boy is under no obligation to join the Brigade, every Life Boy is expected to do so, and the great majority pass eagerly into the 8.8. at the close of the session in which they become 12. The expense is not great. The uniform is a cap and badge. The boys wear a blue jersey and dark shorts which, with caps and badge, complete the uniform. The jersey and shorts form a useful school suit, so that really the only extra expense is the cap and badge. The Life Boy Team is run in close co-operation with the Sunday School. Sunday School attendance is a special condition of membership in the Life Boys. Those who act as leaders are often their teachers in the Sunday School. Each boy is supplied with a membership card which he takes to Sunday School so that his attendance may be marked on it.

He learns to play vigorous and healthy games, out-door and in-door. He is taught to use his eyes and ears and to occupy his spare time, and he is made fit and strong by physical training to suit his years—marching to music, singing etc. We speak of Boys’ Brigade companies. In the same way we speak of Life Boy Teams. Each team is divided into groups in charge of which are leaders, usuallv a ’lady for the younger boys and a man for the older boys. Leaders soon win the confidence of the boys, and the team is just a happy family. The real aim is to make friends with the boys and train them to lead a Christian life. The meetings are held at an early hour on one evening of the week and usually last for about an hour and a-half. Boys look forward to Life Boy Night as the best night of the week.

The object of Life Boys is the “advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among young boys and the training of a body of suitable recruits for the Boys’ Brigade.” Its relation to the senior movement is similar to that of a preparatory school to a public school. In itself it is incomplete; it is the training ground and source of supply of recruits for the Boys’ Brigade. The success of a lifeboy team must be measured by its effectiveness in holding younger boys, and in passing them on without losses to the Boys’ Brigade Company. The Life Boy Team must be kept entirely separate from the Boys’ Brigade Company. The great danger of the Life Boys is that it should come to be looked upon as part of the Boys’ Brigade. Should this fear ever be realized, either in the Brigade generally or in a particular company, it must result in a disastrous effect upon the senior movement, by leading the boys to look upon the Brigade as an organization for small boys. Company Activities.

The 7th Invercargill Company have just finished their ••’Wayfarers’ ” work and the boys have done very satisfactorily. The. signalling class is showing a decided improvement. If the talent at present in the company is available next session, the 7th Invercargill will start with a tip-top signalling class which should do well. The ambulance work under Mr Baker is progressing favourably and before long some boys will be receiving their certificates and the more advanced their badges. The 3rd Invercargill Company are at present having outdoor sports. The beautiful weather experienced lately has made these sports a great success. The boys have been very keen. On November 21 (Wednesday) the 3rd are holding a social in the St. Andrew’s Sunday School Hall for the presentation of the soccer trophies won by the company during the season. The church parade was held last Sunday (November 4) at St. Andrew’s Church. It was Youth Sunday and the Rev. Gardiner gave an impressive address to the many young people of several organizations present. Owing to the ’flu quite a few boys were absent, nevertheless the parade can be regarded as quite a good one. It was pleasing to see officers representing other companies present.

The 3rd Invercargill Life Boys’ team held their break-up social on Tuesday evening, November 6, and they spent a very enjoyable evening in the St. Andrew’s Sunday School Hall. Mr Selwyn, New Zealand Director of Life Boys was present and spoke to the team about their work. He congratulated them on their “seal” work and their standard of work generally. The session closed with 19 boys on the team roll, not including new members of late. The leaders of the team, Miss Gardiner and Miss Wilson are to be congratulated on their work this session.

The 4th Southland Company have an excellent ambulance class in charge of Mr Muir who has brought the boys on well.