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WW4BSA > SCOUTS 24.02.24 23:03l 51 Lines 2757 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 7200_WW4BSA
Read: GAST
Subj: B.-P.'S OUTLOOK (PART 7)
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Sent: 240224/1058Z 7200@WW4BSA.NEFL.FL.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
Playing the Game
IN making our young citizens, therefore, it is essential to try to get into
them the habit of cheery co-operation, of forgetting their personal wishes
and feelings in bringing about the good of the whole business in which they
are engaged -- whether it be work or play. One can teach the boy that it is
exactly as in football. You must play in your place and play the game; don't
try to be referee when you are playing half-back; don't stop playing because
you have had enough of the game, but shove along, cheerily and hopefully,
with an eye on the goal in order that your side may win, even though you may
yourself get a kick on the shins or a muddy fall in helping it.
But the best form of instruction of all for a Scoutmaster to give is by the
force of example. It is essential if he is going to succeed in putting the
right character into his boys that he should himself practise what he
preaches. Boys are imitative, and what the Scoutmaster gives off, that they
pick up and reflect. Instructions, and especially orders, are apt to have
different and even opposite effects with boys -- order a boy not to smoke
and he is at once tempted to try it as an adventure; but give him the
example, show him that any fool can smoke but a wise Scout doesn't, and it
is another matter.
Therefore, it is of first importance that every Scout-master, with this
great responsibility on his shoulders, should examine himself very closely,
suppress any of the minor faults which he may -- in fact, is bound to --
possess, and train himself to practise what he preaches, so as to give the
right example to his lads for the shaping of their lives, characters, and
careers. It is laid down in our handbook that a Scoutmaster should go
through a period of three months' probation before getting finally appointed.
The object of this is to enable him to find out whether Scouting really
suits him after all, whether he is capable of treading down little personal
worries and pinpricks, can endure the many preliminary difficulties and
disappointments, can fit himself into the place assigned to him, and loyally
carry out instructions, though they may not be exactly what he would like;
whether he can, in a word, play in his place and play the game for the good
of the whole.
If he can do this he will be doing the most valuable work that a man can do,
viz. teach his younger brothers the great virtues of endurance and discipline,
pluck and unselfishness. If, on the other hand, he cannot, his only
honourable course is to resign in preference to the unmanly one -- typical,
by the way, of men who failin whatever line of life -- of whining about his
so-called rights, complaining of his bad luck.
July, 1910.
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