THE HISTORY OF THE BOYS BRIGADE

Sir William Alexander Smith

Lived (27 October 1854 – 10 May 1914)

The Founder of the Boys' Brigade

4th October, 1883.

EARLY BEGINNING OF BOYS BRIGADE:

BRIEF HISTORY OF BOYS BRIGADE.

The boy’s brigade was found by Sir Alexander Williams Smith. He was born in Glasgow,
Scotland in October 27th, 1854.William A. Smith was an Army Officer before the lord called
him for his work; he abandoned his military service and became a Sunday school Teacher at Free
Church mission, Northwood side hall in Glasgow Scotland. It was found during the time parents
left their children uncared for. Therefore children became wild, undisciplined and were not
properly thought with the Bible, hence as an enthusiastic Sunday school Teacher, he discovered
what was going on and applied his military knowledge forming what is called BOYS BRIGADE
in order to see that children hears the word of God. Though this Boys Brigade organization
started with many boys but due to some of the disobedience which many of our companies are
facing today made some of the boys ran away due to the hard (harsh) training in Brigade. So they
remained only 31 boys including Sir William A. Smith and these were the people that formed
Brigade. Brigade started with 28 boys and 3 officers on 4th October 1883 at Northwood side hall
Free Church mission Glasgow, Scotland. It was known as the 1st Glasgow Company in Scotland.
The name of the 3 officers are John B. Hill, James R. Hill and Sir William A. Smith. The
remaining 28 boys were shared into 3 group; Company boys, Senior boys and Junior boys. The
Boys Brigade is the first Christian uniformed organization formed in the world.

Sir William A. Smith became a knight in the year 1909. He died on 10th May 1914 at the age of
60 years after the work that God gave him to do. In 1908 Boys Brigade came into Nigeria
through Dr. Mac Milliam at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Ebutero, Lagos. In 1936 Boys
Brigade was established in Eastern Nigeria at Christ Anglican Church Onitsha. During the
celebration of Boys Brigade in Eastern region, one of Sir William A. Smith came to Nigeria
named Major General Stanley B. Smith. The eastern central state council of B.B was reorganized
in 1971 with Mr. Sunday Ibeneme as the organizing secretary. In 1936, B.B came into Northern
region at Kagoro and was accepted by the chief of Kagoro land. In 1921 Boys’ Brigade week
started. In 1886 first B.B camp was held. In 1915 was the founder’s day inauguration. In 1934
was the first training course for officers. In 1908 Boys Scout started. In 1953 steadfast magazine
started. In 1963 international camp, Scotland B.B world conference was held. In 1966 Brigade
headquarter was named to BRIGADE HOUSE Lonswo. In 1971, 50 years Anniversary of BB
week was held. Today Boys Brigade has been establish in many countries and states with many
companies of B.B. it is an international organization which has its headquarter in United
Kingdom with Mr R.L. Rawson as the secretary.

1. MEANING OF BOYS’ BRIGADE

Boys Brigade is a uniform voluntary international interdenominational

Christian organization founded between two pillars;
a. Religion and
b. Discipline
It trains boys to become physically, socially, educationally, spiritually and morally fit. It is a
movement of boys from the age of six and above.
2. BOYS' BRIGADE ANTHEM
The anthem was composed
by William H. Parker (184-1929).
It is in three stanzas, thus:

Underneath the Banner

Of the Cross arrayed,
Lord, we ask Thy blessing
On The Boys' Brigade!
Thou art our Commander
And Thy soldiers, we
And in Christian warfare,
We would honour Thee".
Chorus:
Underneath the Banner
Of the Cross arrayed,
Lord, we ask Thy blessing
On the Boys' Brigade
In each lowly service,
As on drill parade,
"Duty" be the watchword
Of The Boys' Brigade:
Make us ever loyal.
Small or great the foe;
Lead us, Saviour! Lead us,
Everywhere we go.
We will fight for laurels
That will never fade:
For the Holy City
March The Boys' Brigade;
What we find unholy
In our daily life,
we will try to conquer-
Help us in the strife.

3. THE OBJECT OF BOYS’ BRIGADE

The object of boys’ brigade is the “advancement of Christ’s kingdom among boys and promotion
of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-control and all that tends towards a true
Christian manliness.

4. PROMISE

I promise to carry out my duties in accordance with the constitution and

regulation of boys’ brigade and to undertake the necessary training at the earliest opportunity.

5. THE BB PRAYER

Bless, O God, The Boys’ Brigade, and give to it a greater power to advance Your kingdom
throughout the world. Grant in mercy, that every member, past and present, may prove steadfast
in his fight against evil, and truth in his allegiance to You. Help us in times of temptation;
make us strong where we are weak, give us courage in difficulty, faithfulness in duty, loyalty in
friendship; and finally, by Your mercy, bring us into Your everlasting kingdom, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord, AMEN.

6. AIM OF BOYS’ BRIGADE

Is to train and lead boys into the service of our Lord Jesus Christ in his churches all over the
world.

7. THE FOUR SQUARE PROGRAMME OF BOYS BRIGADE ARE

i. Spiritual
ii. Social
iii. Educational
iv. Physical
i.) SPIRITUAL
a. Bible stories
b. Bible study
c. Christian faith

ii.) SOCIAL
a. First aid
b. Primary health care
c. Basic discipline
d. Community service

iii.) EDUCATIONAL
a. Basic B.B knowledge
a. General knowledge
b. Current affairs

iv.) PHYSICAL
a. Physical activities
b. Elementary drills
c. Squad drill
d. Team game

The B.B aims at training the Boys Physically, Socially, Educationally and Spiritually. See Luke
2:52 “And JESUS increased in wisdom and statue and in favour with God and man. Increased in
wisdom- Educational; Increased in Statue- Physical; In favour with God- Spiritually; In favour
with man- Social

8. THE SIX METHOD OF B.B

i. Parade/Drill
ii. Bible study
iii. Uniform
iv. Group work
v. Church connection
vi. Games and sport
“Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth” (Eccl 12:1). “In all thy ways acknowledge
Him and He shall direct thy path” (Prov. 3:6)

9. THE MOTTO OF BOYS’ BRIGADE

The motto of Boys’ brigade is “SURE & STEADFAST” (Hebrews 6:19)

10. THE TWO PILLARS OF BOYS’ BRIGADE

The two pillars of Boys’ brigade is
RELIGION & DISCIPLINE

11. THE BADGE

12. ENROLLMENT

13. QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

i. He/She should be sympathetic.
ii. He/She should be careful.
iii. He/She should be respectful.
iv. He/She should be courageous.
v. He/She should be smart.
vi. He/She should be sincere.
vii. He/She should not count the lost.
viii. He/She should be observant.
ix. The leader must be a person of unquestionable.
14. FIRST AID
First aid is the first treatment given to an injured person before taken him/her to the Doctor. The
content of the first aid box includes:

a. Needle
b. Bandage
c. Razor
d. Aspirin tea spoon
e. Small towel and soap
f. Scissors
g. Small can
h. Adhesive plaster
i. Cotton wool
j. Bowel Spirit, Dettol or any antiseptic.

15. THE BOYS’ BRIGADE UNIFORM

A. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS:
The commissioned officers have two types of uniform

UNIFORM A
1. Navy blue suit
2. Navy blue tie
3. White long-sleeve shirt
4. B.B Belt
5. Glengarry cap with cap badge
6. Collar badge
7. Black shoes with black stockings

B. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS: CADET/WARRANT OFFICERS

1. White bush-jacket short sleeve shirt
2. Navy blue trousers
3. Glengarry cap with badge
4. B.B Belt
5. Red lanyard
6. Black shoes with black stockings

C. BOYS UNIFORM
Senior Boys
1. White trousers
2. White long sleeve shirt
3. Navy blue tie
4. Navy blue jacket (long sleeve shirt)
5. B.B Belt
6. Haversack
7. White canvas with white stockings
8. Field service cap

Company Boys

1. White trousers
2. Navy blue short sleeve
3. B.B Belt
4. Haversack
5. White canvas with white stockings
6. Field service cap

Junior Boys

1. Navy blue short

2. Light blue shirt
3. Beret
4. Pocket badge
5. B.B Belt
6. White canvas with white stockings

NOTE: N.C.Os such as staff sergeant, sergeant, full corporal and lance
corporals wear Boys’ uniform with their respective chevrons on their left
arm.
D. BAND UNIFORM
1. White long sleeve shirt
2. Navy blue tie
3. Navy blue long sleeve shirt
4. Beret (navy blue)
5. Red sash
6. White trousers
7. Black shoes with black stockings

E. PATRON AND PATRONESS UNIFORM

PATRON
Patron are allowed to put on either the A or B uniforms officers depending on one’s resources.

PATRONESS
1. Navy blue shirt

NOTE
6-8yrs Anchor Boys
9-11yrs Junior Section
12-14yrs Company Section
15-19yrs Senior Section

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