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 goodbye.
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 on this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life.
Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely 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 you can enjoy
life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has
made for 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 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 and even after you have ceased to be a boy and God help you
do it.
Your friend,
Baden-Powell of Gilwell