Robert Baden-Powell prepared this farewell message*
to his Scouts, for publication after his death:
"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-bye.
Remember, it is the last time 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 in this jolly world to
be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from
being rich, nor merely from being 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 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
out 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 always when you have ceased to be a boy -
and God help you to do it.
Your friend,
Robert Baden-Powell"
