KNIGHTS OF TO-DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 15

KNIGHTS OF TO-DAY

When there is a good and pure-heart in a movement and its purpose is '..rave and sincere, its outward forms can never be too dignified. Therefore we welcome tho idea or the Chief Scout for a form of ceremony which might be adopted when a Eover Scout is admitted to the brotherhood. It is a very attractivo idea, most of all because it reminds us that Bovcr Scouts are the knights of tho modern world, and we arc as much in need of champions of the right as ever,we were. Tho ceremony is divided into two parts, the Vigil and the Investiture, and it is intended to be used both by. Scouts who are becoming Rover's and by candidates hew to the movement. ,The candidate has two Rovers as his sponsors,, intr.pducing him to v the troop. On the night of the ceremony of presentation these two must take their friend to a plaeo apar,t, preferably a chapel, where he can sit in silence for half an hour and. think about the trust that is to be laid, on him, and his own fitness for it. During this vigil tho two Rovers must see that he isl not disturbed. ■ ' . . . ■'..'. , '..

The candidate has been given by his loader a few idea's to concentrate on during this quiet spell. He . has '. been shown tho Chief Scout's,-little book, which contains", some questions' to help hiiri to find out what! He has beeri doing wjth hia life and what-he intends to .do in the future, so tjiaf the years may not slip usclSsly' by. He is reminded ttiat Service is the ideal of .the Kpver Scouts, that Service moans sacrifice and that .the reward of sacrifice is true happiness. ......

When the Vigil is over'the.lnvestiture begins. All the Rovers are gathered, together in a room in Which is a table covered with a St. Gcorgo's 'Cross. ...On the tablo stand a jug of water, a basin, .and a" napkin. The two sponsors' lead the candidate,to the table and stand ono on cither hand; tho Bovcr Loader'faces them across tho flag.

; The Loader a§ks questions for the candidate to answer about his intentions and .his ideals: :Presently the Leader says:'-— '■■'.'

In ancient-times it was-the custom of 'those about to become kuights to bo laved with water, in token .of. tho washing away of past misdeeds and as a sign that they were determined to begin afresh with a clean page. Arc you

willing to' give siich-a'sigii' hero in the presence of us all'» •■. ■'■"'•'•:

' The candidate "' replies- that ho is ready. Then ho puts his hands' together over the basin. One of the Rovers pours water over -them, the other dries them; The Rover Mate gives the'- Candidate a Union Jack or the Troop Flag. He holds, it with his left hand and makos the Scout sign •with his right. Then-he says to the assembled company' that he has promised on his honour that he will do his best to do his duty to God and the King; to help other people'at 'all times, to obey.the Scout Law. ;

No sooner has he said this than the Rover Leader -takes him "by the left hand and gives' him '-'a'smart tap on the left shoulder, saying: '. " '■.■'■ •' ■■ ■' ' I trust you on your honour to keep your promise,; and-giv? you the buffet, which the knights of old'received to remind you, as it-did them, that you have one '• tender point, namely, ydtir Honour; nothing should be more quickly felt than an imputation" against youi; Honour. : • ;. ■.' . -" ' '• ;■ " ■' ■ ■

The Leader -then gives the new Eovcr his hat and badges and fastens onhis: shouiaer the Rover's knot. ■ "