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Last Message to Scouts:
These
messages were found amongst Baden-Powell's papers after his death (January 08,
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 because 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 to send
you a parting word of good-bye.
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
you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be
happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from
being 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 study will show you how full of beautiful and
wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with
what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things
instead of the gloomy one.
But the real way to get happiness is by giving out
happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you
found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at
any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared"
in this way, to live happy and to die happy-- stick to your Scout promise
always-- even after you have ceased to be a boy-- and God help you to do it.
Your Friend,
Baden-Powell
(Robert
Baden-Powell Biography) |
