ADOPTED IN NORTH
The order also has taken on national and international significance. In 1927, the Northern Baptist Convention adapted the program under the administration of it's Missionary Education committe and Royal Ambassadors organizations now are active in 28 foreign countries

Various church organs sponsor the youth group in other lands; but in the South the Woman's Missionary Union is still largely responsible for administration of the order although Baptist Brotherhood chapters and other male organizations are now participating in the project.

Although the Royal Ambassadors officially began in 1908, there were several forerunning organizations in the movement. As early as 1808, a similar group, dubbed the Society of Brethren, was established at Williams College in Massachusetts. This group, which met for spiritual guidance and prayer, has contributed several important leaders to the missionary movement.

MASSACHUSETTS MEN
Two members of the Massachusetts society, Odoniram Judson and Luther Rice, became the first missionaries to India and another, Samuel J. Mills, organied the Bible Society in this country and was largely responsible for providing funds for the society's missionary work.

Georgia had at least one "pioneer Royal Ambassadors" organization with its Dalton Boys Band which was formed in 1907 under the leadership of the Rev. and Mrs. T. E. Gatlin. The Boys Club and it's 20 charter members were absorbed into the Order of the Royal Ambassadors soon after it was initiated and so became the first Georgia chapter.

Chapters in the Southern Baptist Convention are divided into junior, 9-12 years of age, and intermediates, ages 13 and up, and come under the Order of Royal Ambassadors with headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. Any church may organize an individual chapter.

MEET EACH WEEK
"to make Christ challenging to every phase of the boy's life and to create a missionary spirit in him."

Programs include gaining missionary information through use of the boys' mission magazine, Ambassador Life, and through mission study books. Studies are interspersed with working on ranks, carrying out community missions and recreational activities.

Information chosen for the boy's development is arranged in degrees or ranks with the pins awarded for each successive promotion.

Foundation material for the first rank of the organization includes the alleginace, watchword and hymn aspects of the order and Bible study. Mission stories and organization service are added to the requirements as a boy advances.

The young man also learns about the lives of missionaries, mission knowledge relative to domestic and foreign fields, Baptist work and Scripture passages essential to ambassadorship and Baptist doctrines.

The information is presented through individual participation in chapter programs, research, study of RA manual, mission study classes and handicraft classes such as construction of models, electrical maps and charts.

Overnight hikes and campfire programs have become an integral part of chapter programs and Royal Ambassadors camps and conclaves are held throughout the Southern Baptist Convention each eyar. Swimming, games, handicraft and other recreational aspects of life are emphasized along with the spiritual and missionary work at each conclave.

The little band of missionary workers that begain in 1908 is now 160,000 strong and is in the midst of its first conventionwide congress. The order is now a tightly knith organization with a two-fold purpose: (1) To imbue its youth with strong spiritual and moral characters, and (2) To promote a missionary spirit.

The order also has taken on national and international significance. In 1927, the Northern Baptist Convention adapted the program under the administration of it's Missionary Education committe and Royal Ambassadors organizations now are active in 28 foreign countries

Various church organs sponsor the youth group in other lands; but in the South the Woman's Missionary Union is still largely responsible for administration of the order although Baptist Brotherhood chapters and other male organizations are now participating in the project.

Although the Royal Ambassadors officially began in 1908, there were several forerunning organizations in the movement. As early as 1808, a similar group, dubbed the Society of Brethren, was established at Williams College in Massachusetts. This group, which met for spiritual guidance and prayer, has contributed several important leaders to the missionary movement.