The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-09
III BOYS BRIGADES
Growth of a Movement to Benefit
the Youth of the Land.
Effective Combination of Military Drill
and Moral Influence-Intr0duced
by Prof. Drummond.
W. S. Harwood. in the INDEPENDENT.

W. S. HARDWOOD, in the independent.
The fact that this is eminently an age of
religious enterprise and progress has not
more powerfully been demonstrated than
by the great growth and commanding infu-
ence Of the Christian Endeavor movement.
1t appears now that anew this progress is
to be tested by the movement which is
rapidly taking shape among the boys of the
churches Of America.
1t would be a more correct way OF put
ting it to say that the new movement is
finding its field among the boys out of the
church rather than in it; for it premises
to become the most powerful outstanding
factor among the youth of the land which
has ever yet been put in action outside Of
the Sunday school and the church of God.
The pilgrimages of the Christian En-
deavor hosts, now to this Mecca, now to
that, have become something more than
gatherings for the cultivation Of a pleas
urable religious excitement; they have be-
come rallying places for the completer
work OF the organization, and m~apping-out
places for the splendid campaigns Of the
cross. 1t will not be long, from the present
Indications, before the young boys and
youth of the country will be meeting in
great national gatherings under the strict
est military discipline, and surrounded by
all the influences of the camp which make
for the uplift of the soldiery, with none
OF the debasement of war. and none of the
indictments to scenes of blood and carnage
which so easily are promoted when young
men are practicing for the deeds of mill
tariSm.
When Prof. Henry Drummond was in
this country, a year or so ago, he took OPP
portunity TO show to many of the churches
what was included in the work of the
boys brigadeS in Scotland, and he held
out 10 America the suggestion OF her duty
and her opportunities in the same line.
His words nave been fruitful in more than
one city, while in others the movement
has been taken up from the reports which
have come from abroad as to the success
of the new work in the United Kingdom.
With a remarkable rapidity has the organi-
zation of boys brigades been going on in
States and further West. The boys brigades
have a history only ten years long, for they
were instituted in Scotland in the year 1883;
but in these ten years they have been in
creaSing III interesting ratio, and we may
expect from the outlook that the growth
in America is to be phenomenal.
There are some OF these brigadeS organ
lied under the auspices and kept up under
the auspices of some individual denomina-
ton; this is a matter Of choice, but IL
would seem that utilization with the nation
al association would produce better results.
However, we may leave that to the parties
ticle is to show the Importance of these
brigadeS and what they mean to the church
rather than TO discuss methods.
NOI SECHEIAtSlAN.
The boys brigade may be organized In
any church OF any denomination 1t is
composed Of boys between the ages Of
ten and twenty, sometimes between the
ages of twelve and eighteen, as the indi-
vidual brigade may determine. The bril-
gade may have some name for its organiZa-
ton, as cadets, or guards, or the like; but
in the national organization 1t is known
as a company, and, so far as is consistent,
army nomenclature Is preserved. There is
nc body larger than the battalion, as there
are no commissioned officers higher than
captain. a battalion may be formed when
there are three companies in a given To-
in most Cities and towns where the brigade
idea has taken root The captains, all the
fact, must be members OF the church in
which the company il located. The nom
commissioned officers may be members or
not. as the case may be; they are chosen
from the ranks.
There is complete equipment in the way
of caps, belts, coats-a full uniform OF a
neat and servictable style; a gun~a gun
which will shool, too-and all the acces-
series OF your regular army soldier in the
regular drill nights, when the members
meet to drill and to engage in the regular
is the most complete and rigid military
discipline, The tactics of the infantry of
the United States army is used. and all the
phere of the regular army. If a boy is alb
sent from drill for two consecutive meet
he is insubordinate and vii
regards rSs a HOf his pledge Geages' which ch he took ne When dl he
Joined the brigade. he is brought w for
trial before a e~ourt-nartial formed from
the members of his own company. This
c~ourt-martial is conducted with all the
vigor and the rigor OF a court-martial of
the regular army, save, of course, as to the
penalties. In case the accused Is found
guilty. he is dishonorably discharged from
the company. and he cannot be reinStated
again. In a word, the boys are taught what
IL Is to be soldiers, both as TO the absolute
necessity for obedience and as to the impor-
lance Of a soldiers bearing and a soldiers
strength.
But, does some one ask, some one who
has not yet learned what the boys brigade
stands for. is this all they do? Is there
nothing I'm this new movement but the spirit
of war? By no manner of means: the spirit
of war is not in the brigade at all; and the
military part, however important it is and
however prominent it is, as the above would
indicate, is but a feature OF the movement.
The main object of the boys brigade, the
Christ. The methods adopted are military.
and strictly so; but the ends TO be reached
are in the sweet fields of the peace of
Christ
LEARNS PATRIOTISM.
From the moment the boy enters the bril-
gade the most helpful and hopeful inf1u-
ences are thrown around him. He is taught
se~lf-respect, he is strengthened in manliness,
he is bettered in body, he is made 10 feel,
IL he does not already, the splendid thrill
of patriotism. He may never pass an Amer
lean flag without giving it the salute mill
tary. He must not enter his drill hall, where
the stars and stripes are ever unfurled,
without bringing his hand TO his cap In loyal
salute.
When he joins the brigade he pledges
himself that he will not use profane or in
decent language: that he will faithfully
comply with all the laws of the order; that
he will take to his lips no intoxicating
liquors; that he will be loyal to his country
and his flag. He Is, in some cases, required
to attend some Sunday school every Sab
bath; but in all the initial preparation for
the work of the brigade ne is not harassed
with preachy sentiments, not worried and
harried by obnoxious efforts to convert him.
Do not think by this that he is not cared
for Christianity; the very opposite is the
case. 1t is. as has been indicated, the prime
object OF the brigade TO win him: but the
promoters of the brigade movement have
found that success comes in many different
lines. and that it is necessary sometimes
TO use perfectly legitimate attractions to
gain an entrance to the hearts that know
not the great Captain of the hosts.
When 1t comes to entering the drill hall
at night the boy, no matter what his faith.
or whether he has any faith, must give the
secret countersign, which he carries in his
heart all the week. There is q subtle at
traction In the fact that he carries with him
wherever he goes during the week a secreu
which none but his comrades and his SUI
perior officers know. He must commit this
password TO memory. What is il?
A verse from the Bible.
When the exercises of the drill hall are