From the Revd John E. Harris-White
Sir, — I was interested to read your coverage of the centenary of the Scout movement (Feature, 20 July).

I hope that next year you will give equal coverage to the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Boys’ Brigade. Not many know that Baden-Powell was originally a member of the Boys’ Brigade, which was founded much earlier, in 1883, and his earliest camp was with Boys’ Brigade members.

The Boys’ Brigade was founded by Sir William Alexander Smith, and has been a great support in the Anglican Church with the work of young men, both here and overseas.

It is a firmly Christian organisation, its object being “the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the Promotion of Habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, and Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness”.

In addition, its mission statement is as follows: “The Boys’ Brigade will care for and challenge young people for life through a programme of informal education underpinned by the Christian faith.”

JOHN E. HARRIS-WHITE
40 Tippet Knowes Road
Winchburgh, EH52 6UL