The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-11

DldCk klOQnQ Will the All
of rank as in the United States infantry.
An infantry sword completes the outfit:
Whenever military usage has seemed
20 conflict with the higher interests and
aims of the organization ii has been set
aside, as. for instance, in the attitude
which the boys shall take while prayer
Is being offered. They are brought TO
parade rest. and upon intimation that
prayer is TO be offered. remove their
caps without command, holding the cap
in the right hand. This is in violation
of military usage, but Ii seemed best in
order to teach the boys reverence. With
them, also. not so much stress is laid
upon the seniority of the captains, the
rank OF the company depending upon
the date of its enrolment.
AN ILLUSTRATION.
In order TO give an idea of the organ
ization in its practical working, a sketch
Of the Second Company of the Philadel-
phia Battalion may prove of service
This company's captain, the Rev.
Llewellyn Galley, is president Of the
State Council of Pennsylvania and pres
ident of the Philadelphia Battalion. He
and his are probably as well
known as any in Pennsylvania. Eight
cen months ago, when Mr.. Galley started
his there was only one other
enrolled in the State. Now there are
twenty-six enrolled and ten more in the
process of formation.
The Second Philadelphia Company
meets. on Monday night for drill at 1880.
Two sentries are placed at the door TO
see that each emb knows the pass
word, which is generally some short
text, such as Endure hardness, '"Good
soldier of Jesus Christ" or Fight the
good fight" At 1880 the drum beats
Fall in." and the boys obey, with their
uniforms and rifles looking neat and
clean. After a short ray repeated
by all from the "B. B. Hymnal," carried
in the cartridge box. military move
ments are executed, sometimes a march
with the band, and sometimes musical
dumb-bell practice and barbell drill.
While the main body Of the boys are
thus engaged in the schoolroom, the
band and hospital corps practice in the
adjoining rooms; then all gather for the
closing exercises. These consist of an
uouncing various notices n giving the
password for the coming week. Usually
a few words are then spoken. then a
hymn and prayer are followed by the
Lords Prayer, repeated by all the boys.
The exercises are closed by the benedic-
ton.
The band Is a well-trained fife and
drum corps, and does great credit to the
boys. The hospital corps is properly
equipped with litter, pouches, etc. The
members ave been trained by a ncspi-
tai CORPS doctor. and passed their ex-
animation well. and on several occa-
sions have done useful service. This de-
partment Of the Boys Brigade Is becom-
ing a prominent as well as a beneficial
feature. and authentic cases are given
OF "B. B." boys saving at least three
yes by their timely aid. Besides the
military and musical drill the company
has a baseball club, which has been sue
cessfuI in its matches with other COM
panies. During the summer, in con-
junction with other companies OF the
Philadelphia Battalion. as many of the
members as could went in camp for a
week under the charge of their officers.
The State militia kindly loaned them
tents. and all the routine was carried
out on military lines, without too much
restriction or drilling the boys too hard.
AS to the purpose of the Boys Bril-
gade, Captain Galley said:
Contrary to a somewhat natural i'm
preston, the Boys Brigade does not
teach the art of war nor does 1t foster
or encourage the war spirit. 1t simply
employs military organization, drill and
discipline as the most stimulating and
interesting means of promoting ~Self-re-
spect, chivalry, courtesy. e~sprit-de-corps
and many other kindred virtues.
1.-The boys are, indeed, taught to fight,
but not with one another: they fight
against all sin. especially what has been
called the trinity of evil-impurity, in
temperance and infidelity. For this
warfare they carry in their cartridge
boxes a New Testament 3. B. Hymn
nal, by the use of which they are taught
that they can only hope to be successful
in the battle of life."
MUST DO GOOD.
No matter may be the religious
belief of individual American citizens.
all will concede that the result Of this
teaching will be to advance the general
good of our country. The boys are
taught the fundamental rules of good
citizenship and patriotism in it's best
sense, by the habits of loyalty, and dis
cipline, and temperance. The criticism
which has been expressed in some quar-
tiers that the Boys Brigade taught the
members to shed blood" is ridiculous on
its very face to one familiar with the
true aim Of the organization. The mill
itary training which the boys receive in
the brigade, like that in military acade-
mics and State militia drills. is only cal
culated to teach self-defense and de-
Tense of country. If any American Cit
izen should deprecate these ever-need-
full requirements he evidently would
mistake his true position as an Ameri-
can. Surely our country canno have
too many brave hearts a to defend
her honor from any foe at any time, and
surely the public safety Of individual
communities would be far better pro-
tected if the young men were taught
the manly art of self-defense." not,
however, in the pugilist's Interpretation
of the term.
1t is this training which will, i'm my
opinion. solve the problem of compul-
sorry military service. Our youth are be-
ing trained from boyhood to like their
service. 1t is not forced upon them, as
In the compulsory system. They are
drilled at times and places convenient
to them and not conflicting with their
hoo or other work. We all know
a what is the pleasantest occupation
is usually the easiest, for boys men
alike, and If, as in the majority of our
modern military organizations, the drill
is presented in a way which is attract
i've and agreeable to our youth, we may
have no fear of the ultimate success of
the military movement among Ameri-
cas- young men. We are silently build
ing up a healthy, permanent body of ac-
tive, educated Joys and young men,
who, 1t is safe to predict, will gladly
flock TO our country's standard in case
of war.
As for the lack of enthusiasm among
u youth. the fault is evidently not
theirs entirely Lack of general inter
est and encouragement, together with
suitable State appropriations. has had
much TO do with the case. But a new
era of military interest seems to have
dawned in the last few years, and il is
to be hoped that the good work will go