Crittenden record=press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, 1907-03-28

caught fire. 1t became the central
headquarters for the organization in
America, and is so today. Thanks
largely to the interest of the money
ed men Of that city, The Boys Bril-
gade is growing ever year and Is des-
timed to grow.
1t was Is years ago that the work
was first inaugurated in Philadelphia.
An isolated company was formed at
the Oxford Presbyterian Church, and
about the same time Rev Llewellyu
y. Galley, Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church of the Nativity, started a
company in that church. DR.. Galley
has been engaged in the work in
London prior to that. aud came here
fired with enthusiasm. 4 year later
the Pennsylvania State organization
was formed in Philadelphia, and so
it has spread, until today there are
about Is. 900 members of the Boys
Brigade in Pennsylvania thru the
official records do not show those fig
ures owing to the failure of the in
dividual organizations to make care
full reports to the State officers. But
they are all working along similar
lines and are spreading the principles
the Boys Brigade stands for in
section.
Other states are progressing equal
~ a. well aud now that the orgaui-
cation has overcome certain unwar-
ranted prejudices of some churches,
great success is predicted for it.
Strange to say, a spirit of conserva-
tism in some churches has and does
still stand in the way Of the Boys
Brigade work. Some preachers, not
understanding or approaching its OBJ
Jet fear 1t Is an encouragement of
the warlIke nature rather than teach
ing Of the gospel Of peace. Others
think the movement lacks spirituality
but if they could see the real good
accomplished in the uplifting of boys
who would never otherwise become
interested in churches and Christian
work, hey would no doubt hail the
movement as one of the best solu-
tons yet discovered Of the problem Of
saving boys souls.
One Of the leading officers of the
organization at its recent National
Convention, very aptly summed up
its objects as follows
The Boys Brigade Is a military
organization to hold the boys inter
est in the Church by means of the
military features. We believe in
doing everything well aud a. hard as
We know how.
To encourage the boy, in living
up to their PLEDGES, service stripes
are given for two years faithful ser
vice. instead of for three years. as l.,
required in the National Guard. In
Pennsylvania Keystone medals are
also awarded for points of service.
One thousand are necessary TO get
the bronze medals and six years of
service, with /. 900 marks for each,
are rewarded with a silver medal.
The points are gwen for regular at
tendance at church and Sunday
school and at drill exercise, etc.
Out in Pittsburg, Company u,
Third Regiment, which is popularity
known as the "Bope Company in
honor Of the Commander-in- Chief,
Lieutenant General Bope, who form
erly was its popular captain, has a
membership of $50 boys, and a long
waiting list. The members are re-
quired to report every drill night
and so anxious are the boys to re
tain their membership in this COM
pany that they never miss a meeting
unless it is absolutely impossible to
be present.
There are nineteen companies in
the Third Regiment Philadelphia ;
Frist Regiment has not quite so
many companies but they are filling
rapidly aud the Quaker City prom
ises to give her western rival sharp
race for her reputation.