Newspaper Article 1989 – How the Brigade began

The Girls’ Brigade beattitudes [beatitudes]

Happy is the Brigader who can be trusted in all things, for she will be a strength to many.
Blessed is the leader who has not sought the high places.
Happy is the Brigader who has heard the call of Christ and follows this call, for hers is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed is the leader who knows where she is going, why she is going and how to get there.
Happy is the Brigader who is always ready to help; she will gain more than she givesl
Blessed is the leader who surmounts discouragement.
Happy is the Brigader who knows the true meaning of love, for love is of God.
Blessed is the leader who knows how to lead without being dictatorial.
Happy is the Brigader who forgets herself for others; she will never know the meaning of loneliness.
Blessed is the leader who develops leaders while leading.
Happy is the Brigader who has respect for all living things; she will find God everywhere.
Blessed is the leader who leads for the good of all concerned and not to satisfy her own desires.
Happy is the Brigader who has learnt to obey gladly; for she is fit to lead.
Blessed is the leader who seeks the best for those she serves.
Happy is the Brigader who can laugh when life is dark; for her sun will always shine.
Blessed is the leader who though her head may sometimes be in the clouds, always her feet are on the ground.
Happy is the Brigader who knows the true value of everything, for she will never want for anything.
Blessed is the leader who sees leadership as an opportunity to serve Christ.
Happy is the Brigader whose life is pure, for she will bring light into dark places.

How the Brigade began

The story of the Girls’ Brigade begins with an experience on a chilly Saturday afternoon in the year 1893.

The girls of Sandymount Presbyterian Church had met as usual for their singing practice. Miss Margaret Lyttle was their conductor. The day of the annual Sabbath School Meeting was approaching; there were songs to be learned and words, as well as music, to be rehearsed.

Somehow, on this occasion, the singers seemed to be feeling the cold. Perhaps the wind blowing in from Dublin Bay nearby was harsher than usual that day. At any rate, Miss Lyttle thought that some physical drill would warm up the members of the group.

The effect was immediate. The idea caught on. The girls were delighted and soon began to ask that this drill should in future be a regular part or their Saturday programme.

Apparently, some of the girls told their brothers in the Boys’ Brigade about this drill, and on an afternoon in early October one girl suggested that the singers should call themselves “The Girls’ Brigade”.

In this spontaneous way the name of a great world- wide organisation arose. Miss Lyttle could scarcely have imagined that the “G.B.” would, in years to come, be represented in web of the five continents by flourishing companies of girls from many nations.

The Girls’ Brigade programme for girls is based on Luke Chapter 2.52. Taking the four aspects of Jesus’ growing years. . . He continued to grow in wisdom (educationally), and stature (physically), in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially).

The Girls’ Brigade motto is “seek, serve, and follow Christ”.

How to join

Girls are welcome to attend a company for four to six weeks as recruits so that they can find out about Girls’ Brigade before becoming a full member.

At the end of that time a recruit would be entitled to be enrolled and would wear the uniform of her age group.

For further details please. phone Melva on 85 915

The Girls’ Brigade programme for girl is based on Luke Chapter 2.52. Taking the four aspects of Jesus’s growing years . . . He continued to grow in wisdom: (educationally), and stature (physically), in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially). The Girls’ Brigade motto is “seek, serve, and follow Christ”.

Photo caption –

The 2^nd Hastings company Girls’ Brigade received their quota of chocolate almonds ready to sell during national Girls’ Brigade week.

Girls from the Second Hastings Girls’ Brigade try their hand at indoor gardening, top and below, learning nursery home skills.