His youth and appearance on the scaffold excited "such a lamentation," says Kirkton, "as was never known in Scotland before; not one dry cheek upon all the street, or in all the numberless windows in the market-place." On taking hold of the ladder to go up, he said, in an audible voice, "I care no more to go up this ladder, and over it, than if I were going to my father's house." Then turning to his fellow-sufferers, he cried, "Friends, be not afraid; every step in this ladder is a degree nearer to heaven." Before being turned over, he removed the napkin from his face, saying, "I hope you perceive no alteration or discouragement in my countenance and carriage; and as it may be your wonder, so I profess it is a wonder to myself; and I will tell you the reason of it: Besides the justice of my cause, this is my comfort, what was said of Lazarus when he died, that angels did carry his soul to Abraham's bosom; so that, as there is a great solemnity here of a confluence of people, a scaffold, a gallows, and people looking out of windows, so there is a greater and more solemn preparation of angels to carry my soul to Christ's bosom." He then ended with that noble burst of eloquence: "And now I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be broken off. Farewell father and mother, friends and relations; farewell the world and all delights; farewell meat and drink; farewell sun, moon, and stars! Welcome God and Father; welcome sweet Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant; welcome blessed Spirit of Grace, the God of all consolation; welcome glory; welcome eternal life; and welcome death!" Was not this a bright Bible-martyr-triumph? The words are golden, and wreathed with grace and glory. Again: five of Scotland's noblest sons, lovers of the Bible and the Covenant, are secreted in a cave. Their hiding-place is discovered. The cruel soldiery first fire into the cave, then rush in and bring forth to execution. Without question put or offer of mercy, the whole five were shot by order of the commanding officer. One of them being observed to be still alive, a wretch drew his sword and thrust him through the body. The dying man raised himself, and, weltering in his own blood and that of his companions, cried out with his last breath,—“Though every hair of my head were a man, I Iwould die all these deaths for Christ and His cause!" Remarkable words, speaking victory to the Bible and the Lamb! Our Big Boys: What can we do for them? TEN months ago we gave a brief practical answer to this question. We pointed out at least one thing we can do, when we reported the formation of an organization of a somewhat novel description in connection with the Free College Church Mission Sabbath school. The main purpose of the organization is to bind together the senior boys of the school, with the view of advancing Christ's kingdom, especially among boys, and to promote habits of reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends to true manliness. From the following sketch of the movement, contributed lately to the Christian Leader by Mr. Wm. A. Smith, who is really the prime mover in the matter, our readers will observe that already very considerable progress has been made in forming other companies, with the same military regulations. We believe there is nothing like it in the United Kingdom or elsewhere; but there are now four Glasgow companies, and we hear of what are likely to become the fifth and sixth. A similar Brigade has been formed in Edinburgh, in connection with the Stockbridge Free Church; and the officer in charge of it writes: "We think the Brigade will become very popular in our district;" and there are many reasons why it should be popular, and also why it should succeed. The drill necessary to qualify lads for membership in such a corps implies a considerable measure of self-denial. The discipline is found to develop and fix several excellent features of character in the lads, which they are almost certain to carry with them into the ordinary walks of life. We are not surprised to learn that good effects from the movement are distinctly seen on the Sabbath evenings, in the Woodside school. Those of our readers who are familiar with the military position "attention," will understand how far the lads at this school have profited by their drill when we say, that in this position upwards of fifty of them stood for fully fifteen minutes, listening to an address which the Rev. Mr. Robarts delivered to them on a recent occasion. Not a limb moved; not one face turned away from the speaker. The father of one of the lads assured his teacher the other day that his son had gone so heartily into the movement, and that he had brought so much of its spirit into the house, that " every member of his family had been benefited by it." There must be a large number of efficient rifle volunteers in the ranks of our Sabbath school teachers. Here is a sphere of usefulness for them. Many of them might use their influence, and in some cases they could probably give personal aid in adding this agency to those already in existence for the retention of our senior scholars. From Mr. Smith's statement it will be seen that a general council has been formed for the purpose of helping on the movement, so that friends desirous to join it should have no hesitation in communicating with him on the subject. His address is No. 4 Ann Street, Hillhead, Glasgow. The Boys' Brigade. As convener of the Council of the Boys' Brigade I have been instructed by the council to ask you to allow me to give a short account of a movement that has been commenced in some of the Sabbath schools in Glasgow, the good effects of which seem so evident to those of us who have to do with it that we desire to make the idea as widely known as possible. The movement originated in the Free College Church Woodside Mission Sabbath School, with the formation last winter, by myself and two friends, of what we called the "Boys' Brigade." We had felt that something was wanted to take up the attention of the boys during the long winter week-nights-something that they would naturally take to, and we could imagine nothing that would appeal more to a boy's fancy than something of a military nature, as boys are naturally fond of drill. It seemed to us that from the organization which this would give us we might work out on many interesting and instructive lines. We felt that what boys wanted more than almost anything else, especially in these days, was to be taught habits of reverence, obedience, discipline, and selfrespect-all of which would spring naturally from an organization such as we contemplated,-habits that would form the best foundation on which to build up useful Christian lives. It also seemed to us that by associating Christianity with all that was most noble and manly in a boy's sight, we would be going a long way to disabuse his mind of the idea that there is something essentially effeminate about Christianity; and that while it is the right sort of thing for girls, it is something alien from the nature of high-spirited boys. That this idea is far too widespread among boys, no one who has anything to do with them can have failed to see. We put our idea into practical shape in October, 1883, and the result has justified the anticipations we had formed. The boys took it up heartily, and over fifty enrolled. We at once introduced the very strictest discipline. No boy was allowed to fall in if a single minute late, and no one was allowed to miss two consecutive drills without a good and satisfactory reason. Prompt, cheerful obedience to all orders was made a sine qua non. The effect of this was to very soon reduce our numbers to about thirty; but these thirty had learned the lesson we wished to teach them, and stuck to their colours most faithfully right through the winter. The other twenty had learned the lesson also, and would gladly have come back if they could have done so ; but we deemed it wise to give them a year to think over it, and I am glad to say that many of them enrolled this winter again, and are now among the best boys in our ranks. The result of this strictness is, that the boys are now thoroughly convinced that it is no small privilege to be a member of the Brigade, and could imagine no greater misfortune than to be dismissed from it. It is not difficult to see the hold that this gives us upon them. This winter we have carried on the work as formerly, and with greatly increased success. We meet every Thursday evening, in the mission hall, at 329 North Woodside Road, at eight o'clock sharp. The non-commissioned officers (appointed from among the boys themselves) come a-quarter of an hour earlier to clear the hall. This done, the Brigade "falls in," and as soon as the line is formed, prayer is offered up. Then regular military drill goes on for about an hour. The Brigade is then joined by its flute band (newly started), which has been practising in another part of the building under its instructor, an ex-band-sergeant of the regulars, who takes a great interest in his boys. If desired, some marching can be done to the music of the band, or some vocal galop or other piece played by the band, and sung by the Brigade. After this a suitable hymn, such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers," is sung, and perhaps a short appropriate address of five or ten minutes is given by some friend; after which all join together in repeating the Lord's Prayer; and after the National Anthem has been played by the band they get the order to "dismiss." As illustrating the intense interest the boys take in the work, I may state that out of an enrolled strength of fifty-six we have an average attendance of fifty-three every Thursday evening; and always a satisfactory reason for any boy being absent, to see to which is the work of the noncommissioned officers, each of whom has his own "squad" to look after. We have lately, at the desire of the boys themselves, formed a Bible class for the members of the Brigade, which they attend at 9.30 on Sabbath mornings, in a way that they would never have done but for the fact that it is connected with the Brigade. The effect upon the boys seems to us to be good in every way. The mere drill itself does them an immense amount of good, in forming in them habits of obedience and discipline at the most impressionable period of their lives, not to speak of the physical setting up it gives them. As members of the Brigade the boys are banded together as being on the side of Jesus Christ, and encouraged in every way to take their stand on His side. An esprit de corps is created, which a boy readily imbibes; and, added to this, one can hardly speak to these boys without having endless illustrations suggested by the very nature of the organization,-illustrations that appeal to the healthy side of a boy's nature in a way that almost nothing else will do. The idea has met with so much approval from gentlemen connected with other Sabbath schools who have paid us a visit, that several other companies of the same sort have been, and are about to be, instituted. Believing that much might be gained in the way of mutual help and encouragement by forming themselves into an association, those of us who are interested in the work met together on the 26th of January, constituted ourselves into the "Council of the Boys' Brigade," and adopted the following CONSTITUTION. (Adopted at meeting of Council held on 26th January, 1885.) 1. This organization shall be called "The Boys' Brigade." 2. The object of the Brigade shall be the advancement of Christ's kingdom among boys, and the promotion of habits of reverence, discipline, self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness. 3. All boys between the ages of 12 and 17 will be eligible for members of the Brigade; and in applying for their membership cards they shall fill up a form of application, agreeing to comply with the rules of the Brigade, and expressing a desire to be true to Christ in their lives and to help other boys to be so. 4. The Brigade shall be composed of companies, which shall be designated by the town to which they belong, and numbered according to the date of their formation. 5. The Brigade shall be under the management of a council composed of all the officers, the senior officer of the Brigade to be convener. One-fourth of the officers on the roll shall form a quorum. 6. The Brigade shall be officered by gentlemen, whose appointment shall be approved of by the council, in the proportion of one officer to about twenty boys. Each company shall be commanded by a captain, whose junior officers shall be lieutenants. 7. The captain of each company shall appoint non-commissioned officers, by promotion from the ranks, in the proportion of one sergeant, one corporal, and one lance-corporal to about every twenty boys. 8. Strict discipline shall be enforced; and all members must submit to the authority of the officers and non-commissioned officers placed over them. 9. This constitution shall not be altered except by a majority consisting of twothirds of the number present at a duly called meeting of council; and notice of any proposed alteration must be sent to each member of council at least one week previously. The scope suggested by the constitution may seem somewhat ambitious, but we are so satisfied of the good results to be attained-physically, morally, and religiously-by such organizations that we feel confident many others will see their way to follow our example. The companies now in operation are:-1st Glasgow Company, connected with the Free College Church Mission, under my own charge, assisted by Mr. J. R. Hill and Mr. J. B. Hill; 2nd Glasgow Company, connected with Berkeley Street U. P. Church Mission, under the charge of Mr. J. S. Couper, assisted by Mr. R. A. Hannah and Mr. J. B. Couper; and 3rd Glasgow Company, in connection_with_Adelaide Place Baptist Church Mission, under the charge of Mr. J. C. Robertson, assisted by Mr. E. W. Hamlen, and others; while other companies are in process of formation. The council will be pleased to know of any schools that may think of raising similar companies from among their boys, and will be glad to give them all the assistance and information in their power. The idea can be applied to any Sabbath school with an ordinary sized hall, if some gentleman, capable of giving the necessary instruction, is willing to go heartily into the work. As the work of a first session must of necessity be little more than to lay a foundation to be built upon in subsequent years, there should be nothing to prevent schools utilizing what remains of the present winter for this purpose. In country districts the drill might be done in summer, and interesting and instructive meetings of various kinds held during the winter. That such work is urgently needed among boys of 12 to 17 years of age, there can be no question, as these are the very years during which habits are formed that will give a tone to a boy's whole future life. A Dossers' Meeting. LAST month we described some of the efforts that are being made to rescue the perishing "street children,” so numerous in Glasgow. In a quiet effective way, and for several years now, a devoted band have been toiling on, we might almost say both day and night, for the elevation of the most degraded of our population. The work is conducted generally under the auspices of the Evangelistic Association, but several of the branches are wrought conjointly by a committee of the Sabbath School Union and the Foundry Boys Religious Society. In the Association's monthly Bulletin we find the following account of a meeting held lately. It will interest Christian friends at a distance who may not be able conveniently to look in at the hall, where they could see for themselves the various operations carried on :— |