A NEW MOVEMENT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1810, 2 December 1919, Page 4

A NEW MOVEMENT.

"SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS." A new departure in Sunday school work das been made at St. Luke's Church. The Intermediate school, in which the scholars ■re from 11 to 14 years of ape, has been reorganised on the educational principles of the Boy Scout movement. Every child who joins the "Soldiers of the Cross," as It is now called, must pass the novice test before he can be enrolled and receive a novice badge. He then joins a "patrol"—not a class—named after' a Saint, with its own patrol leader and patrol standard (bearing Hie emblem of the Saint). Further badges will be evolved with appropriate tests. On Sunday last S6 novices were enrolled, and a short .play was acted In the church. The first part depicted some Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land, and the second, a modern "Soldier of the Cross," showing bis enlistment in the army, his taking the oath, and his investiture with the Gospel armour by Grace. The part of Christian ■was played by Patrol Leader Harry Gapes, of the St. Lawrence Patrol, and Grace by Patrol Leader Gladys Stewart, of the St. Nicholas Patrol Subsequently r,fi children and teachers look the promise to light against sin, the vrorld. and the devil; to be loyal to Christ and His Church; and to obey God's law. To pass the test each was required to iuow this oath, and God's law—"Thou sualt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself"; to understand the meaning of certain Christian devices; to know the lives of four saints; and to have attended church on four Sundays. The interest among teachers and pupils has been great, and much is hoped for from this new venture.