St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-01-17
The Boys Brigade.

Dy kew. - I. st. Clare. M orrisvile, VII
The Boys Brigade seeks the advance
ment OF Christ's kingdom among boys,
and the promotion of habits ofobedience
reverence, discipline. seltrespect and all
that tends toward a true Christian
manliness through the instrumentality
OF military drill and discipline, as a
means whereby boys are attracted, held
together and brought into a receptive
attitude for the religious teaching and
guiding which is it's fundamental pur-
pose"
But few qualifications are necessary for
membership. The boy must be ffty.fve
inches tall, must pledge himself to re.
frain from all forms of tobacco and
alcohol, must enlist tor one year, at the
expiration Of which be receives an honor
able discharge with the privilege of re-
enlisting, must promise to comply with
the rules of discipline, which are copied
as nearly as possible after the army
codes, with the addition Of any further
rules that local conditions NAV seem to
require.
Given: a company of boys uniformed
Ito omit the Uniform is mistake arm
ed with lightweight dummy rife led
by drill master familiar with military
tactics and who commands the respect
OF the boys, and chaplaintd by local
minister, and the work is ready for
initiation. No smallest detail must be
neglected. Companies have made miser-
| able failures when the details have been
ignored. The officers are selected from
those v no quality and receive the highest
percentages during certain competitive
tests, such as efficiency in the manual of
arms, record OF department while in uni
form and civilian dress. and general
ability.
These have to do with three distinct
sides of the average boys makeup, the
military, the social and the religious.
Love for these is much alive in the boy,
and should have the personal attention
and wise direction ola consecratcd leader.
The strongest longings of the lad Of
ten to fifteen are for martial life. He is
never so happy nor feels himself so much
man as when stepping off, gun over
shoulder, to the rhythmic tap OF the
drum. Indeed, there is much of the
primitive warrior in the average boy,
and what an opportunity tor appealing
to that instinct by holding before him a
higher goal than that held by warning
ancestry.
The boys from the first take up the
work OF the brigade with sincerity, per-
form its duties with alacrity, and be.
come scSupulous in obeying restrictions
and following the commands imposed
upon them by their superors. The idea
yields over them a certain fascination,
bringing them under control truly
marvellous and attained through but few
other agencies. l have seen the drill.
room a veritable Babel OF confusion
half dozen sparring in pairs, six or
eight fencing or plying the Ju Jitsu
method of manly defense, others romping
and frolicking as only boys know how
to do; have seen the captain of the COM
pany disengage himseIfas he was remind
ed that the hour for drill had arrived,
stand in the center of the hall, and with
a martial dignity that de6es imitation
utter those electric words, Company,
'tenshun!" and in less than one minute
every boy in the hall was in his place as
the squad presented company front to
answer roll call. And would defy any
one to detect bit of levity in the ranks.
Not that the levity was gone, but it was
marvelously controlled.
Such a sight cannot be viewed many
times without the feeling that there is
accruing to the boy who gains such
mastery over himself self control which
may mean much in bringing about a
strong adherence to religious ideals.
Boys brought thus together are develop
ing the bond of comradeship, an
instructive sense OF the strength of union,
perception of joint responsibility and a
wonderful realization OF interde pendence
which will produce acquiescence in the
pressure of discipline that is destined to
develop such vital change in their
characters. On the floor OF the drill hall,
thrown together in voluntary associa-
number, boys who can be controlled
through no other medium obtain their
first instruction and learn their first
potent lessons in constructive sociology.
They learn that the best interests OF the
company often demand the silent sacra-
fee of personal wishes and the waving
OF unalienable rights, and such an atti-
tude they take cheerfully.
This comes clothed in garments OF
authority and the lad receives it as a
matter of course. He knows that every
regiment has its chaplain, and as good
soldier be himself is brought to heed
religious instruction which would bt
observed and followed under lew Other
conditions. 1t is a .gladdening ex
perience to be in the atmosphere of tn,
religious exercises OF such a company
No false modesty. no winking swaggery
no enforced patient endurance. but sim
pie, honest piety that is indeed inspiring
The brigade Bible class affords an oppor
tuuity for special Biblical instruction anC
the presentation of Christian truth.
| Indeed, the possibilities of this method
Tor holding and Influencing boys at THU
period of their life are innumerable. TIL,
simple fact that you command the boy
rather than request or implore for {
gwen action gives you a wonder II
opportunity. You repeat the electric
words. Company, 'tenshun !" anc
watch for results. I he lad who slouchet
is now squaring his shoulders; he initiates
his chest and brings it up from tn
region of his pericardial cavity ant
points it at you with undisguised pride
| L. IL l. L.