BOYS' BRIGADE

boys' brigade, an organization founded in glasgow by mr (afterwards sir) w.a. smith in 1883 to develop christian manliness by the use of a semi-military discipline and order, gymnastics, summer camps and religious services and classes. there are about 2200 companies connected with different churches throughout the united kingdom, the british empire and the united states, with 10,000 officers and 100,000 boys. a similar organization, confined to the anglican communion, is the church lads' brigade. boys' and girls' life brigades are a more recent movement; they teach young people how to save life from fire and from water, and hold classes in hygiene, ambulance and elementary nursing.