The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-04-26
PATROL OF
BOY SCOUTS.
British Idea Takes Root Among
Lads Of Springfield, Mass.
FIRST IN the UNITED STATES

FIRST IN the UNITED STATES
Helpful Organization, Which Has
Spread Over Great britain and Aus
traIia, Is introduced In n. m. G. A.
Of Bay State City by Young Man
From Edinburgh.
Clad in khaki suits, golf hose, belts
and ralish SLOUGH hats, the Young
Mems Christian association scouts of
Springfield, Mass, organized a few
days ago, are objects of interest to
their. elders as well as of envy to a
large juvenile contingent. The idea
is adopted from England, which has
more than 100000 boy scouts. The
Springfield patrol, which is the first to
be organized in the United States, is
in charge Of Edwin d. Horsfield of
Edinburgh, a student at the Interna-
tional Young Mems Christian associa-
tion training school in Springfield,
Mass Mr.. Horsfield had experience
in the movement in his native coun-
try and consequently is well adapted
to give the boy scout idea the necessa-
ry impetus to make it a success in the
United States.
Mr.. Horsfield admits that he is ex-
perimenting in an untried field, but he
is confident that once the idea is I'M
derstood it viii spread as rapidly as it
did in England, Scotland. Germany
and Australia. A boy must be thir-
teen years old to be eligible for en-
rollment as a scout. Some of the boys
are seventeen or eighteen years old
and few twenty years.
Must Be Useful and Help Others.
The scout law contains much that
appeals to the schoolboy code of hon
or. It's fundamental principles are as
follows:
First. "A scouts honor is to be
trusted
Second--A scout is loyal to his coun-
try and his employers,
>Third.-.A scouts duty is to be use
full and to help others.
Fourth.-A scout is a friend to all
and brother to every other scout, no
matter to what social class the other
belongs.
Fifth.-A scout is courteous.
SiXth.--He is q friend to all animals.
Seyenth.-He obeys orders.
Eighth.-He smiles and whistles I'M
der all circumstances.
Ninth He is thrifty.
The pledge which the boy scout
takes is as follows:
81 will do my duty to God and my
country. will do my best to help
others, whatever it costs me. l know
the scout law and will obey it."
Taking this pledge indicates that
the boy intends to roll up his sleeves
and get into business said Mr. Hors-
field. in England the boy scout is
an important parsonage. He is not
only building up his body, but he is
proving himself useful.
How Scouts Are Benefited.
MANY a fond mother who a few
years ago was opposed to having her
son join the boy scouts now comedies
that the experience has brought about
a marked improvement in her son. A
first class scout must prove himself
to have practical knowledge of first
aid TO the injured, signaling Morse,
semaphore and staff, swimming, life
saving and other branches. His scout
ing games teach him to be observant,
and he learns of nature and of ami
mails. His endurance powers are also
greatly strengthened.
MANY parents in the Uniled States
are looking for some organization
which will develop everything that is
good in their boys. There is a boys
department in the Young Mems Chris
tian association. and there are boys
clubs and Bible classes. yet the aver
age boy longs within himself for
something else.
"The object is not to make soldiers
of the boys They are peace scouts
If one has the welfare of the boy at
heart, if he would help to make the
future manhood stronger and better.
his service can be turned to no better
channel than this the boy scout
movement"