NAR= RATOR: Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said: "I often think that = when the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven, but the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world. The stars are not all the same size; so= me are big, some are little, and some men have done small deeds, but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they went to heaven. Try and make your hole in the blanket by good work while you are on earth. It is something to be good, but it is far better to do good." Think of Baden-Powell's words when you promise to help other people.
Blue & G= old Closing - Lessons From The Past<= o:p>
What can we learn from the past; what lessons that will
last?
Faith in God, honor of country, to these truths we hold fast.
Our forefathers made us free, they stood for truth and
liberty.
They made discoveries and inventions, left for all to see.
We Cub Scouts, we honor them; those brave men we remem=
ber,
Famous Americans and Scouters who fanned the glowing ember.
That glowing ember - AMERICA - shall burn for centurie=
s;
The flame of greatness lingers on for future men to seize.
We now salute our growing boys, who youth will soon be=
gone.
From boys to great men some shall grow, to lead our country on.
Lord Baden-Powell's Farewell Mes= sage
(This letter was found among Baden-Powell's papers aft= er his death on January 8, 1941.)
Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play, "Peter Pan",= you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech, beca= use he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die, he might not have time to get it off his chest.
It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not= at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days, and I want so send you a parting word of goodbye.
Remember it is the last you will ever hear from me, so= think it over.
I have had a most happy life, and I want each one of y= ou to have as happy a life, too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be ha= ppy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from bei= ng successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence.
One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy= and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful, and so can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature will show you how full of beautiful and wonderf= ul things God has made the world for you to enjoy.
Be contented with what you got, and make the best of i= t; look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real w= ay to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people.
Try and leave this world a little better than you foun= d it, and when your turn comes to die you can die happy in feeling that at any ra= te you have not wasted your time but have "done your best".
"Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and= die happy; stick to your Scout Promise always--even after you have ceased to be= a boy--and God will help you to do it.
Your friend,
Baden-Powell