Saluting their leader, they ranged themselves round the room for the opening ceremony.

At an indoor meeting this was of necessity different from the kindling of the camp-fire, but it had a certain impressiveness of its own.

First the lamps were extinguished, and the room was placed in entire darkness.

Then Mrs.Arnold struck a match and lighted her candle, which she held towards the Torch-bearer of highest rank, who lighted hers from it, and performed the same service for her next neighbour.

In this way, one after another, the candles were lighted all round the room, every girl saying, as she offered the flame to her comrade: "I pass on my light!" After the "shining" song was sung, all the candlesticks were arranged on the large central table, taking the place the camp-fire would have occupied out-of-doors.
The business of the meeting came first, the roll-call was read, and the recorders gave their reports of the last gathering.