Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-22
4 Knighthood f or
Boys

7 1t was twenty-five years ago that a
dozen boys filed stormily up the back
stairs OF parsonage in the village
OF Riverside, East Providence, r. l.
They organized that day. under the
lead of their minister, William Byron
Forbush. church boys club to which
they gave the name, the knights OF
King Arthur. Since that day over
100000 American boys have been
brought under the influence of the
church and into loyalty with it's con.
Germs through the help of this frater.
nifty.
| 1t has seemed to reach very close
to boys needs. Boys are, after all,
romantic. Two-thirds of their play
Is dramatic. Their gangs are self
governing, mysterious, and exclusive.
These factors have been utilized, un-
der wise guidance.
1t meets the usual local church sit
uation. The ordinary church must
work with small money and modest
equipment. The leader, usually the
pastor, can give only short time
each week to this special task, and
he likes to have his work cut out for
! him. The work must be done mostly
, indoors and in the winter. Every
church likes to control its own work
F, with its boys. The knights of King
/ Arthur remembers all this. The plan
is easy to start, requires no red tape,
is self-sustaining, and works into the
parish organization completely. Yet
1t is elastic enough for the most or
1ginal leader. Many wise men and
x1yNr h., 81
experience.
1t is uplifting. 1t leads onward and
upward. In this society religion is so
unobtrusive as not to be repealed, but
so integral that it cannot be olsen
tangled. The worker with the Boy
Scouts has to strive to introduce the
religious and churchly element The
worker with the Knights cannot es-
cape it.
1t is fraternity, private but not
secret, self governing and under the
control of the local church. It is based
upon the oldest English Christian Ie.
gend, that of the Round Table. It is
revival of the nobler side of -cf1iv-
airy. The thought is to fulfil the
prophecy of King Arthur that he would
return to re-establish a kingdom of
righteousness, honor and service.
The boys collectively are called
Castle. Each boy takes the name of
some ancient knight or of some hero,
ancient or modern, and tries to repre-
sent his knightly traits. He starts
as Page, and undergoes humorous,
harmless, but instructive invitation.
The keynote in this stage of the boys |
tv se IA
Is intended to take some of the con-
ceit out OF him and to give the adult |
leader a chance to watch him for his !
possibilities, while he. in turn, is learn
ing to see how he will like his new
After season, when he
has manifested evidence of the posses
sion of the right spirit. he may be ad-
Vanced to the rank as Esquire. The
keynote of this stage is Habit. The
Esquires constitute usually the work
ng body in the Castle. 1t is they
who are learning to live nobly and
together In order to be-
come an Esquire, each boy must have
lad suitable instruction regarding the
discipline of his body and concerning
lis personal ideals. He must also
De able to give short biography of
lis chosen hero.
Still later he may be elevated to the
'ank OF knight, usually after he has
become member of his church The
keynote of this stage is Service. Each
10Y Is expected to begin his life in
his degree by quest" for others.
This rank focuses boys religious
deals and makes them practical, and
dds to church membership an abiding
poetic touch. All of these ranks are
equired conditions of entrance.
In the Castle Hall there is a "Siege
'erilous," which may be occupied
My by such as have performed some
worthy deed, recognized as such by
he boys, and who thereafter are hon.
red with the title of Baronet Other
igher ranks are open to all members
7ho conform to the requirements.
The boys themselves fill the various
,astle offices, from Sentinel to King.
The adult leader represents King Ar
hurs hoary counsellor, Merlin.
There is form of conducting Con-
lave, including all business, and CIV ! !
1g place for such kinds of enter
ainment as may be arranged. There
re limitations for each degree, ex-
remedy interesting to all the boys. :
here are passwords, signs, signals, =
rips, etc., but no secrets from par
hts, teachers and pastors. There is
luch emphasis on handicraft, athlet- !
IS and camping out. !;
The Order gives multitude of sug- ;
estions for carrying on Castle, but !,
o Merlin is obliged to follow them in =
etail. Each, may select, modify, =
dapt, amplify, as he sees fit.
AS in ancient days each Castle has a
fe of its own. There are rituals and 4,
of all possible forms, and =
pecial festivals connected with in.
tallations, visitations, and anniver;
aries. All these produce beautiful
fellowship which. in after years, is
looked back upon much as
lie college graduate looks back upon II
is fraternity.
There are IF course many castlo c