The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-05
YOUNG CRUSADERS.
They Have Broken Camp at Lake Wau-
shacum.

They Have Broken Camp at Lake Wau-
shacum.
The Young Crusaders have broken
their camp at Lake Waushacum and
returned to the duties Of civil life.
TO the people of Worcester at large
this statement possibly may not arouse
especial interest. But to the residents
Of the north end, and the members of
st. Johns Episcopal church In particu-
lar, the name and fame of the Crusad-
ers are well known.
The Young Crusaders owe their or
ganization and their vitality to Rev.
Eliot White, rector of st. Johns. Him
self young man, Mr.. White devotes
a large share of his attention to the
youth of his parish, in which branch Of
work he has been most successful. Be-
fore coming to Worcester, he held the
position of assistant to Rev DR.. Hunt
ington at Grace church, New York,
whare his principal charge was the Sun
day school of Grace chapel, containing
over 1900 children, and the valuable ex-
perience gained there has shown itself
admirably in the more limited field here.
Inc organization was one Of Mr..
Whites first projects. 1t is chiefly mill
tary in character, and includes in it's
ranks nearly every boy in the parish.
The principles of the order are those
of its chivalrous prototypes of 700 years
ago, of course revised as the conditions
of the present time require. The duties
and privileges of membership are tact
fully interviewed, and the whole frame
work shows decided skill on the part Of
the founder and director. The boys are
thoroughly imbued with the spirit Of
"noblesse oblige," realizing that the
credit of their beloved order lies on
themselves, and parents and neighbors
of the Crusaders note with delight the
thoughtful courtesy, cleanliness and or
derliness which they and the boys
themselves attribute to the influence of
the magic name.
Meetings are held weekly for drill,
though in the summer and autumn this
is allowed to alternate with base ball
or foot ball practice, according to the
season.. There are two companies, A and
B, drilling on different afternoons, and
members are promoted from B to A
upon arriving at a certain proficiency
In drill and standard of department.
The distinction of a membership in A
company is highly priced, one small
urchin, when asked the question in his
Sunday school lesson, What Is the
chief desire of your hearth" instantly
responded, ITO get into Company A.
The boys have natty uniform Of blue
and white, which is worn at the week.
ly drills and on Sunday evenings, when
the whole corps occupies front seats at
the service. Prize exhibition drills are
given at intervals during the winter,
and also other entertainments, at one
time going to the extent of a minstrel
performance, which was highly edify-
ing and we'll patronized. The corps fur
nishes the church with ushers, and
most of the members OF It's boy choir,
and is frequently useful otherwise, such
as when flowers or greens are needed
for decorative purposes. The browning
event Of the year comes in July, when
the two companies go into camp at Lake
Waushacum for a fortnight. Here all
the essentials of a regular military
camp are followed. Guards patrol day
and night in two hour reliefs, reveille
and taps mark the limits of waking
hours, dress parade and military evo-
lutions are part of each days pro-
gram, and the campers entertain their
young lady friends and other visitors
with the cordiality and proud dignity of
their more ambitious fellow warriors at
birmingham.