Double page spread from early 1900s Band of Hope Lessons

Abstract

These two examples illustrate the guidance which was provided for the volunteers who worked with the children. As well as the Band of Hope Chronicle, many books and pamphlets were published such as the (undated) Band of Hope Lessons – and this also shows how the blackboard was used, making teaching visual.

Our Motto

Fortiter
Fideliter
Feliciter
Bravely, faithfully, happily

In olden times it was the custom for a knight or a warrior to have a motto which he bore either upon his flag or his shield, so that all the world might know him by his motto rather than by his name. Sometimes the motto would indicate bravery, or strength; in other cases defiance, or encouragement.

The motto of which we are to speak is to be seen over the door of the St. Bernard Hospice, where amidst the eternal snows on the Alpine Mountains the noble monks live for the benefit of their fellows in distress their life of self-denying activity. (Tell the story.) It is not the kind of motto we should expect to find, but it is indicative of their work, and is fully justified by the heartiness and happiness which prevails among the brotherhood.

Bravely. We can quite understand these men being brave, for they are constantly surrounded by danger, - snowstorms, avalanches, frost and want of food, - but in spite of this, they go into the Hospice of their own free will that they may do their good and useful work. We, too, must be brave; although we have not the snowstorm and the avalanche to fear, yet there are hundreds of times when we must summon all our courage to resist some temptation to evil, or to stand against some laugh or sneer. Many a man can face the dangers of a storm at sea better than he can stand the laugh of his companions. Let us think of this in old Latin word, Fortiter, when temptation comes, and resist it accordingly.

Faithfully. Doubtless there are many times when the St. Bernard monk, called from his sleep by the pealing of the bell on the distant pass, wishes for the moment to lie down again and sleep by the fire. But only for a moment does he allow the thought, and soon he is on his way to the rescue for the lost traveller. Like him we must be faithful although sometimes it may give us a little trouble, or cause a little discomfort. (Illustrate. Think of others before self.) Faithful to our pledge. That will save us from many a snare, for strong drink is one of the great causes of men being led astray. (Illustrate. ”Lead us not into temptation.”)

Happily. These monks of St/ Bernard are very happy fellows. Why? Because they live, not simply to make themselves happy, but that others may be blest, and in doing this, they are thrice blessed themselves. This is the secret of true happiness. Where a person lives only to give himself pleasure, he soon becomes most miserable. We shall make ourselves happy and others happy too, by keeping our pledges, for strong drink is one of the great causes of misery; and now, having written Fortiter and Fideliter, let us write Feliciter, and having these, we shall make life a success.

The Post of Duty

On Gallant.
Unselfish.
Assiduous.
Reliant.
Determined.

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith”
1 Cor. Xvi. 13.

Most of us perhaps have read of the destruction of Pompeii, how great Vesuvius for days together sent forth flame and smoke, dust and lava, until the city was completely buried. In recent years the city has been dug out, and many wonderful things have been found – pictures on the walls, plates and cups, bread in the ovens, domestic utensils everywhere. What is more wonderful still, the remains were found of a Roman sentinel who had been on guard at one of the city gates, and had remained at the post of duty in spite of danger and of death. Think of this noble fellow “On Guard,” and bravely and fearlessly doing his duty. We must be on guard, not defending a city like Pompeii, but defending ourselves (the city of Mansoul) and our principles. We must be-

Gallant. This is simply another word for bravely, only it conveys the idea of bravery of a high type. Gallant against temptation, danger and difficulty. The worst of it is, that unlike the danger attending a soldier’s life, our dangers may come to us in a pleasant and alluring form. There is fascination about a glass of wine, and many of its associations. Many a brave fellow has been lost through being off guard when the danger has arisen. We must be-

Unselfish. There was noble devotion to duty on the part of this man. He might have thought of life, of home, and family, of the sunshine, and flowers, and all the pleasures of life, and have forsaken his post for them, but he did not. HE set duty first, and unselfishly gave his life to the cause he had at heart. We need not emulate this man to this extent, but we must emulate the spirit his possessed. What is our duty? Let us devote ourselves to it. We must be-

Assiduous. A hard word, but with a simple meaning. It means work constantly and readily done, without noise or fuss. A Busy, quiet worker. (Illustrate. The quiet workers of Nature like the frost.) The soldier on guard must not be on the look out one half-hour and asleep the next. His is constant watching, eye and ear always on the alert.

Reliant. What is the use of a guard that cannot be relied on? Unless the guard can be depended upon, the city or the camp can never be safe. In bygone days, a guard who was found to be unreliable was shot, as being not only useless, but dangerous. We have taken the pledge. We have a great cause at heart, and a great work to do. Can we be depended upon? Let us learn to be self-reliant and useful.

Determined. There will be difficulties and dangers. The brave man overcomes the difficulties; the weak man is overcome by them. It depends on the boys and girls of to-day, keeping firmly to their pledges, as to what the future of the country will be.