Introduction to the boys

Introduction to the Boys' Brigade

The Boys' Brigade is the oldest youth uniform organization in the world upon being founded in 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith in Glasgow, Scotland. Since then, the movement has spread throughout the world in more than 60 countries.

In Singapore, The Boys Brigade is gazette as an institution of public character and is registered as a charity under the Charity Act 1982 (Registration No. 0067). It is a member of National Youth Council, the People's Association and the National Council of Social Service. It is recognized by the Ministry of Education as one of the official Uniformed Youth Organizations in schools.

Boys' Brigade World History

Sir William Alexander, founded the Boys Brigade on 4 October 1883 when he formed a company of 35 Boys at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow. He devised the Boys' Brigade in such a way of training the Boys physically and spiritually by introducing Christianity. From the very beginning The Boys' Brigade grew and grew and spread throughout Britain and all over the world. In 1887, only four years later, there were in the United Kingdom alone, 418 companies, 1,301 officers and 17,259 Boys. Early activities consist of simple form of drill, gymnastics and games and they all proved to be very popular among the boys. The uniform for the first year was a rosette; afterwards the forage cap, haversack and belt was introduced. Other activities were soon held and in 1886, the first BB camp was held. It was from then on the starting of camping of young people.

Boys' Brigade Motto and Emblem

Sure and Stedfast - based on Hebrews 6:19

Hebrews 6:19
"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both Sure and Steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

The Emblem was originally an anchor. It stems from the verse in Hebrews 6:19 --- "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both Sure and Steadfast and one which enters within the veil," With the union of The Boys' Brigade and The Boys' Life Brigade in 1926, the red cross from The Boys' Life Brigade's emblem was added to the anchor.

The Boys' Brigade Object

The Object of The Boys' Brigade shall be the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Manliness.

The Boys' Brigade Method

The Method of achieving the object of The Boys' Brigade is by providing a meaningful and enjoyable programme of educational, physical, social and spiritual interests, which are in turn based on the "Twin Pillars" of Christian Education and Discipline and guided by adult leaders as officers.

Spiritual (Christian Education): To encourage Boys to learn about the Christian faith and to grow up to become responsible members of the community.

Physical: Team games and individual games and activities respectively, to encourage a spirit of comradeship and allow individual Boys to develop their own particular physique. As they grow older, more adventurous activities are also introduced.

Educational: To teach something useful or artistic as an introduction to leisure time activities (e.g. craft work of all kinds, music, drama, photography)

Service: To encourage the Boys in progressive ways to gain appropriate knowledge and then apply this in practical service to other people.

The webmaster of this website is CPL Chen Lian Quan, CPL How Zhi Han, CPL Eugene Yeo, CPL Fabian Lim.
This website is last updated on 02/09/2004. The website is copyrighted to The Boys' Brigade 14th Singapore Company.
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