The Boy Scouts

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143586, 26 August 1911, Page 4

The Boy Scouts

By Scoufmaste?

District Commissioner: Captain W. Wright, Huwera. Inspectors, Major F. W. Sandford, Tainui, Vogeltown, and Mr. G. M'Gahey, Brougham Street. Scoutmasters: J. XL Sullivan, Central School; N. R. MTsaac, Post Office; H. Y. M'Gahcy, Brougham Street,

An Address.—Last Wednesday, _ in the Central Club Room, the, Rev. Mr. J. A. ivempthorne addressed the Scouts on “Loyalty.” There, was a fair attendance of Scouts. The speaker improsed on the- boys the great importance of being loyal to tueir laws and knighthood. This was ,uli, that was expected of them as’Scouts. Then there was the loyalty which every true boy should show towards his mother and father. Lastly ho exhorted'them to exhorted them to bo Joyal to Christ. “Loyalty to Christ will'Help, us when everything goes against us.” ■ ■ “For the sake of the younger ones, for the sake of the influence tney.can have on them, Scouts should be loyal.to one another and to their •maiiy~.oi you, when you hear nasty stories, turn away from them as .from an enemy r ••Nothing will make us happy, and others, too, than loyalty to ourselves. In concluding his interesting address, the rev. gentleman quoted the following lines, written by a poor lad when ill :

“Just as X am, young, strong and free, To be the best that 1 can be, Because thou gavesb thy self ior mo, 0, Lamb of God, X come.”

An Appreciation.—lt is with regret that the Scouts heard of the Rev. Air. Laird’s intended departure from New Plymouth. AVc have had in Mr. Laird a. warm supporter and .a-very willing helper. During the last few months he has given the Scouts three addresses, and has twice invited them to attend his church. His efforts to win for our brotherhood a good and lasting name have been, if we may say so, the means of winning the sympathy of many with the aims of our movement. And he has done more than this. By his genuine interest in Scout work he has encouraged those on whoso shoulders falls'most of the responsibility for the success of scouting, the Scoutmasters. They feel that they owe to Mr. Laird. a debt of gratitude. However, let it-bo hoped that in Canterbury, where Mr. Laird-goes, he will continue to lend vigour aim sympathy to our cause. Scouts wish this most earnestly, and extend to Mr. Laird their well-wishes for success and happiness in-'his new home. ‘

A Successful Entertainment.—Last Tuesday a very successful entertainment ,’ii* aid of a uniform fund" was hold in AVhiteley Hall. Sufficient money was collected to obtain a dozen now uniforms. It was owing to tho indulgence and sympathy of Mr. G. H. Saunders that the Central Scouts have been so liberally assisted. 11 is readiness in giving support was proof of his appreciation of our work. “A Scout’s duty is-to'be useful and to help others/’ As Scouts wo try to do this. As,a true Scout. .Mr. Saunders,, gave, us his friendly assistance. He also offered to do tho" same again whenever we deem it advisable.

A Field Day.—Next Thursday a field day will be held. As most of the Scouts will have a holiday on that day a muster is certain. As to where the outing will ho held lias not yet been decided. Scouts will be told of this next Wednesday night. Bandages, flags, about three feet of strong cord, lunches ami staves must bo brought. A good programme is being arranged, so Scouts aro -promised an enjoyable outing. - Next Wednesday’s Programme.— 6.45 to 7.30: Debate: “Is tho earth round?” 7.30 to 7.45: Address on “Scouting in New Plymouth.” ~ ; ;; ; •. 7.45 to 8: Lesson on tho effects of alcohol on the human, body. 8 to 8.10: Questions;'etc. 8.10 to 8.25: Story rend to Scouts.

Benjamin Franklin (continued). — School days. Unlike many New Zealand boys Benjamin had very little schooling. Ho commenced going to school when eighj;,."years of ;age. ; He attended for only-two years, at the end of which tinidiUie 'earned .a living and assisted his ppflf, father in a candle shop. But Benjamin made the best of his school dayA' He went to. work with a will,; .improving every moment, and getting the better of every difficulty. Tho, master said of him to his father: :“Xonr son is a 1 remarkable scholar for oho so. young. I am more than gratified with his industry and progress;” It. is , generally the case that early attention to study enables one to fore-sh'adow'the future character of the boy. •• Those who knew how industrious and earnest Benjamin was at school, prophesied that he would hold a., hied, position in manhood., It was tho same -with Webster and George Stephenson.'. Their intense -interest in their school work resulted in their rising to positions of. usefulness and influence. Such men furnish valuable lessons in industry to Scouts, some of whom, like most boys, are not at all serious and earnest in their school work as they should he. It was a sad moment for Ben when his father, told him that ho was unable to pay his school expenses. At nine years of age his father said : “You are old enough to help mo. Ijbcro are many things you can do as 'well as a man.” "I should like to know -what,” said Ben. “You can cut tho wicks, fill the moulds for cast-candles, keep tho shop in order, anil run hither and tliithcr with errands,” said his father. And Ben cheerfully took his father’s advice, A Scout always obeys his parents without question. “It is a good sign,” his father said, “for any boy to accept cheerfully the plans of his father, who has had more experience.” Ben was very prompt to obey his parents. His father was a very severe man; hut ho knew that Ben had a strong will to control. It is said that the boy would have gone to ruin if ho had had his own way. But he learnt obedience at home, and this leads to obedience in the school and in the State. He honoured his parents as long as ho lived. “Honour thy father and mother.” When he lived in Philadelphia ’ his old and infirm parents lived at Boston. Ho used to frequently perform frequent journeys to visit them. Landlords were very inquisitive then. They often asked questions which' they should not ask. While Benjamin was on ono of his journeys homo ho resolved to rebuke

the innkeeper who had keen rather inquisitive. 'When he arrived at the inn no-asked the landlord to assemble his family as he had something to tell them. Very soon the family were in the room. Beniamin addressed them as.follows: “My name is Benjamin Franklin; I am a printer by trade; I live, when at home, in Philadelphia; in Boston, I have n father, a good old man, who taught me, when 1 was a boy, to road my Bible and say iny prayers. I’ have ever since thought it my duty to visit my father, and I am on that errand to Boston now. That is all about myself that I think worth telling yon.” The landlord was taught a good lesson. The story also shows .that although his father had strict rules, and kent Ben well controlled, Ben’s love for him never diminished. Ben showed in this instance that be was a true Scout. His greatest concern was for his dear rather and mother. They had the greatest right to his love and attention. Scouts, remember this.

' Gems from the great poet, Wordsworth. —

“We built un a pile of better thoughts.” “A voice that seemed the sound of happy thoughts.” “Be wise and cheerful.” “Resolve to be a man.” “Possessions vanish, and opinions change, but duty exists.” “His life was exercised in good.” “A, light of duty shines on every ;day for all.’ ' “‘Books were ready comrades whom he: could not tire.” “A Scout’s duty is to be useful md to help others.” “BE PREPARED.”