The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-28
BOYS BRIGADE ANNIVERSARY.
Interesting Exercises at the F1rs
Presbyterian Church.

interesting Exercises at the First
Presbyterian Church.
The Second Jersey City Company, Boys
Brigade of the First Presbyterian Church,
last night celebrated their second ~anniver-
sary. The second was the pioneer company
of this religio-military organization in this
city. They were the first to organize, and
they nave held their place at the head of
the brigade in all contests in the execution
of the manual of arms. This excellence of
bearing and proficiency in the execution of
the drill is due to the ha I'd and
thorough training which Captain
Wightman has put them through.
Last night the session house was dressed in
gaia attire. On the south side in the centre
of the room was placed a reviewing stand
draped in the national colors. This stand
was occupied by Elder Hall, Charles D.
Ridgeway, Major Pangborn, Colonel Hugh
Abernethy and Adjutant Gerardin. On
either end of the hall were ranged chairs for
the invited guests. Among these were the
4th and 9TH Jersey City Companies, and the
1st Hoboken Company. On the north side of
the room were chairs for the members of the
company. The exercises began with a drill
by the boys. After their captain had put
them through the evolutions of the manual
the non-commissioned officers gave an exhibit
ton of bayonet fencing. They were loudly ap-
plauded. After the drill, Elder Hull intro
duced Colonel Abernethy, who said that he
was present at the request of DR.. Herr. He
complimented the boys on the excellence of
their drill, and hoped that they would con-
tinue to improve in the future as they have
in the past. He said that there is always
,,oor, fo,. a,ppoxvap1apf in military life The
Boys Brigade, he said, will turn out the
National Guardsmen of the future. He said
he does not agree with Captain Wightman
in combining Upton's and the new regulation
tactics, he should stick to one and that the
new.
Major Pangborn was then introduced.
He presented Corporal Leon w.
Mawby with a neat silver badge
for having attended the greatest number of
meetings. This badge will be open to com
petition for two years and If at that time
Mawby still holds it, it will be his to keep.
Q-uartermaster Sergeant Gaddis was pre-
sented with two religious works for being
the most punctual soldier at prayer meetings.
The members of the company presented
First Lieutenant Van Dyke with a beautiful
" engraved sword in token of the esteem
high regard in which they held him. The
little Major made a short speech on punctu-
atty, obedience and the duties Of a soldier in
general. Mr.. Charles d. Ridgeway con-
graduated the boys on behalf of the church
and in the absence of DR.. Herr, who is in
poor health and was unable to be present.
Tug-of-war contests between the various
companies wound up the programme Of ex-
e~rcises. Hoboken and West Bergen were
the first contestants, Hoboken won. Next
the Bergen Reformed and the Second Com
panytried their strength, the Bergen boys
being the victors. The windup was be-
tween Hoboken and Bergen Reformed, and
the Reformed boys, having scarcely recov-
cred their wind from their previous tug,
lost. The guests repaired to their rooms be
low, where the celebration was concluded
with refreshments.