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[Illustration]
How Girls Can Help Their Country
Adapted from
Agnes Baden-Powell
and
Sir Robert Baden-Powell's Handbook
1917
COPYRIGHT, 1917
BY
JULIETTE LOW
Transcriber's note: Italics are signified by underscores, _, and bold is
signified by tildes, ~, around the words. In one spot in the text [=V]
is used to describe a V with a line above it and [V=] signifies a V with
a line below it.
Contents
Part I.
PAGE
HISTORY 1
HOW TO BEGIN 4
LAWS 7
SELF-IMPROVEMENT 9
Part II.
MEMBERSHIP 20
QUALIFICATIONS FOR GRADES AND RANK 25
ENROLLMENT 27
BADGES AND AWARDS 29
TESTS FOR MERIT BADGES 31
Part III.
GAMES 48
CAMPING 57
SCOUTCRAFT 68
STARS 83
GARDENING 92
Part IV.
SANITATION 94
HEALTH 98
HOME LIFE 106
Part V.
FIRST AID 124
Part VI.
PATRIOTISM 136
LIST OF BOOKS TO READ 142
INDEX 153
Copies of this book may be obtained from Girl Scout National
Headquarters, 527 Fifth Avenue, City of New York; price 30 cents,
postpaid.
PATRONESSES OF GIRL SCOUTS.
MRS. PHILIP BROWN New York
" ARTHUR CHOATE " "
" POWERS FARR " "
" SNOWDON MARSHALL " "
" HENRY PARISH, JR. " "
" THEODORE PRICE " "
" DOUGLAS ROBINSON " "
" SAMUEL VAN DUSEN " "
" LEONARD WOOD " "
" WM. J. BOARDMAN Washington, D. C.
" ALBERT BURLESON " " "
" JAS. MARION JOHNSTON " " "
" JOSEPH R. LAMAR " " "
" RICHARD G. LAY " " "
" OSCAR UNDERWOOD " " "
" JOHN VAN RENSSELAER " " "
" EDWARD DOUGLAS WHITE " " "
" H. C. GREENE Boston, Mass.
MISS KATHERINE LORING " "
" LOUISA LORING " "
MRS. RONALD LYMAN " "
" HENRY PARKMAN " "
" WILLIAM LOWELL PUTNAM " "
" LAWRENCE ROTCH " "
" WILLIAM W. VAUGHAN " "
" BARRETT WENDELL " "
" ROGER WOLCOTT " "
" WILLIAM RUFFIN COX Richmond, Va.
" HUNTER MCGUIRE " "
" GEO. HYDE CLARK Cooperstown, N. Y.
" HERBERT BARRY Orange, N. J.
" THOMAS EDISON " " "
" PHILIP MCK. GARRISON " " "
" GEORGE MERCK " " "
" B. PALMER AXSON Savannah, Ga.
" GEORGE J. BALDWIN " "
MISS ELIZABETH BECKWITH " "
MRS. ROCKWELL S. BRANK " "
" W. W. GORDON " "
" LOUIS W. HASKELL " "
MISS HORTENSE ORCUTT " "
" NINA PAPE " "
MRS. FREDERICK F. REESE " "
" SAMUEL DRURY St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H.
" ORTON BROWN Berlin, N. H.
" FREDERICK FRELINGHUYSEN Newark, N. J.
" WAYNE PARKER " " "
" DOUGLAS GORMAN Baltimore, Md.
MISS MANLY " "
MRS. JAS. HOUSTOUN JOHNSTON Birmingham, Ala.
" WILLIAM S. LOVELL " "
" ROBERT C. ALSTON " "
" JOHN B. GORDON Atlanta, Ga.
" CLELAND KINLOCH NELSON " "
" JOHN M. SLATON " "
" CARTER HARRISON Chicago, Ill.
" HERBERT HAVEMEYER " "
" CYRUS MCCORMICK, SENIOR " "
MISS SKINNER " "
" FREDERICA SKINNER " "
MRS. MARK WILLING " "
" CHARLES G. WASHBURN Worcester, Mass.
MISS KATHERINE HUTCHINSON Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. ROBERT LESLIE " "
" JOHN MARKOE " "
" ALFONSO MUNOZ " "
MISS ANNE THOMPSON " "
MRS. CHARLES DOBNEY Cincinnati, Ohio
" JAMES PERKINS " "
MISS JOSEPHINE SIMRALL " "
MRS. ROBERT TAFT, JUNIOR " "
" MAX HIRSCH " "
" G. S. RAFTER Washington, D. C.
Part I
HISTORY OF GIRL SCOUTS
Girl Scouts, like Boy Scouts, are found all over the world. When Sir
Robert Baden-Powell formed the first troops of Boy Scouts, six thousand
girls enrolled themselves, but, as Sir Robert's project did not include
the admission of girls, he asked his sister, Miss Baden-Powell, to found
a similar organization for girls, based on the Boy Scout laws, with
activities and occupations properly adapted for girls. She then founded
the Girl Guide organization.
In America, in March, 1912, the first patrols of Girl Guides were
enrolled by Juliette Low, in Savannah, Georgia. In 1913, the National
Headquarters were established by her in Washington, D. C., and Miss
Edith Johnston became the National Secretary. The name Girl Guides was
then changed to Girl Scouts because the object of the organization is to
promote the ten Scout Laws: TRUTH, LOYALTY, HELPFULNESS, FRIENDLINESS,
COURTESY, KINDNESS, OBEDIENCE, CHEERFULNESS, PURITY, and THRIFT.
The movement then grew and spread in a remarkable way. The success of
the movement is due, in a great measure, to the work of the National
Secretary, Miss Cora Neal, who built up the organization during the most
difficult years of its existence. In 1916, Headquarters were removed
from Washington to New York, and the machinery for unifying the national
work of the organization is now placed on an efficient basis.
The training of Girl Scouts is set forth in the Handbook, written by
Lieut.-General Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Miss Baden-Powell.
Juliette Low obtained the rights of their book and, with the help of
committees and experts from all parts of America, adapted it to the use
of the Girl Scouts of the United States. It is impossible to train Girl
Scouts without the Handbook.
In 1915, a Convention of Girl Scout leaders from most of the large
cities was held and a National Council was formed, composed of delegates
from the cities or communities where more than one hundred Girl Scouts
were enrolled.
This National Council met in Washington, D. C., on June 10, 1915, and
put the management of the business of the National Organization in the
hands of an Executive Committee, composed of:
A President.
A Secretary or Executive Officer.
A Treasurer.
A Vice-President.
Chief Commissioner.
Six or more members of the National Council.
The Duties of the Executive Committee are:
(1) To grant charters to the Local Councils of Girl Scouts.
(2) To manufacture and copyright the badges.
(3) To select uniforms and other equipment.
At every annual meeting of the National Council there is an election of
the Executive Committee. This committee has the power to cancel a
charter.
National Headquarters
The National Headquarters has a staff of officers to do the work of the
organization, holding their positions at the pleasure of the Executive
Board. The National Secretary is appointed by the President and holds
office at the pleasure of the President.
Each city or locality has a Local Council of twelve or more members,
according to the size of the community. These local Councils are under
the direction of the National Council and obtain their charters from
Headquarters. Where one hundred or more Girl Scouts have been enrolled,
the Local Council has the right to send one representative to the
National Council for the annual meeting.
The salute is three fingers raised, the little finger held down by the
thumb.
[Illustration: _The Salute_]
Handshake with the left hand while the right hand is raised in half
salute--that is three fingers raised and held on the line with the
shoulder. This is the salute given between one Girl Scout and another,
and the full salute is when the fingers are raised to the temple on a
level with the brow. This is given to officers and to the United States
flag. (In saluting, the hand is always held upright, never in a
horizontal position.)
HOW TO BEGIN
It is not intended that Girl Scouts should necessarily form a new club
separated from all others. Girls who belong to any kind of existing
organization, such as school clubs or Y. W. C. A.'s may also undertake,
in addition to their other work or play, the Girl Scouts' training and
games, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
It is not meant that girls should play or work on Sunday, but that they
may take walks where they can carry on a study of plants and animals.
Groups or bands of girls not already belonging to any club may be
organized directly as a Girl Scout Patrol or Troop.
How to Start a Patrol
Eight girls in any town, school, or settlement may join together to form
a Patrol. They should have a Captain who must be at least twenty-one
years old. The Captain selects a Lieutenant, or second in command, and
the girls elect a Patrol leader. The girls should be from ten to
seventeen years of age. It is best if all the girls in each Patrol are
about the same age. A less number than eight girls can begin the
movement, but eight girls are required to form a Patrol. A girl may not
become a Lieutenant until she has reached the age of eighteen, or a
Captain until she is twenty-one. In Europe, Girl Scout Patrols are
sometimes formed by grown women who wish to carry out the Girl Scout
program of preparedness. Members of such Patrols are called Senior
Scouts. Senior Scouts make the three promises and accept the Scout law.
They are enrolled as Scouts but do not meet regularly in the same manner
as girls' Troops. They are organized in classes to learn first aid,
signalling, marksmanship, or any other subject of the Girl Scout
program of training. Senior Scouts may well practice what they learn in
such classes by teaching, for one or two months, Patrols of younger Girl
Scouts. Thus they improve their command of what they have learned, and
serve as an example to the younger Scouts, stimulating their interest in
being prepared and especially in the subject taught.
The First Meeting
At the first meeting, the Scout Captain, who has previously studied the
plan, principles, and object of the Girl Scout organization, explains
the laws, promises, and obligations of the Girl Scouts to the members
who are to form the troops. The names and addresses of the girls are
recorded, the day set for the regular meeting, and the length of time
for each meeting determined. Fifteen minutes may be spent on knot-tying,
the Scout Captain first explaining the parts of the knot, and the
requirements for knot-tying. Three-quarters of an hour to an hour should
be spent on recreation out of doors.
Succeeding Meetings
The second, third, and fourth meetings should be spent in learning the
requirements for the Tenderfoot tests. Each meeting should open with the
formation of the troop in rank, by patrols, facing the Scout Captain.
The first salute should be given to the Scout Captain, followed by the
pledge to the flag, and inspection of the troop by the captain. After
inspection the troop should break ranks and hold a short business
meeting. Elections may be held at the second or third meeting for the
patrol leader, corporal, secretary, treasurer, and any other officers
the members of the troop may desire. The Scout Captain should instruct
the troop how to conduct a business meeting, and explain the nomination
and election of officers. Weekly dues may be determined, and some
decision had on the disposition of the funds. After the business
meeting, the work or the tests should be studied, and the proper time
spent on recreation. Every meeting should have a formal closing as well
as a regular opening. For the closing, the troop should line up as for
the opening routine, and give the good-bye salute. A definite time
should be decided upon for the examination for Tenderfoot Scout, and the
examination held at that time. Every Girl Scout who passes her
examination is then ready to be enrolled and to make the Girl Scout
Promise.
Girl Scout's Promise
Each girl must promise on her honor to try to do three things:
~1. To do my duty to God and to my country.~
~2. To help other people at all times.~
~3. To obey the laws of the Scouts.~
She learns the salute and the secret sign of the Scouts.
The Girl Scout Motto Is
[Illustration]
_These laws are for the guidance of Captains, and the girls, although
they learn the Law, are not allowed to make the promise to keep the Law
until the Captain considers they are capable of living up to its
spirit._
THE GIRL SCOUT LAWS
1. A Girl Scout's Honor Is to be Trusted
If a Scout says, "on my honor it is so," that means that what she says
is as true as if she had taken a most solemn oath.
2. A Girl Scout Is Loyal
to the President, to her country, and to her officers; to her father, to
her mother, and to her employers. She remains true to them through thick
and thin. In the face of the greatest difficulties and calamities her
loyalty must remain untarnished.
3. A Girl Scout's Duty Is to be Useful and to Help Others
She is to do her duty before anything else even if she gives up her own
pleasure, safety, or comfort. When in doubt as to which of two things to
do she must think, "Which is my duty?" which means, "Which is the best
for other people?" and do that at once. She must be prepared at any time
to save life or help the injured. She should do at least one good turn
to someone every day.
4. A Girl Scout Is a Friend to All, and a Sister to Every Other Girl
Scout.
Thus if a Scout meets another Scout, even though a stranger to her, she
may speak to her, and help her in any way she can, either to carry out
the duty she is then doing or by giving her food, or as far as possible
anything she may want. Like Kim a Scout should be a "Little friend to
all the world."
5. A Girl Scout Is Courteous
That is, she is polite to all. She must not take any reward for being
helpful or courteous.
6. A Girl Scout Keeps Herself Pure
in thought, word, and deed.
7. A Girl Scout Is a Friend to Animals
She should save them as far as possible from pain and should not kill
even the smallest unnecessarily. They are all God's creatures.
8. A Girl Scout Obeys Orders
Under all circumstances, when she gets an order she must obey it
cheerfully and readily, not in a slow, sullen manner. Scouts never
grumble, whine, or frown.
9. A Girl Scout Is Cheerful
under all circumstances.
Scouts never grumble at hardships, nor whine at each other, nor frown
when put out.
A Scout goes about with a smile and singing. It cheers her and cheers
other people, especially in time of danger.
10. A Girl Scout Is Thrifty
This means, that a Scout avoids all useless waste of every kind; she is
careful about saving every penny she can put into the bank so that she
may have a surplus in time of need. She sees that food is not wasted,
and that her clothing is cared for properly. The Girl Scout does not
waste time. She realizes that time is the most precious thing any one of
us has. The Girl Scout's time is spent either in useful occupations or
in wholesome recreation, and she tries to balance these two
harmoniously.
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
A Great Law of Life
One of the most fundamental laws of life is that, in the natural course
of things, the influence of women over men is vastly greater than that
of men over one another.
This is what gives to girls and women a peculiar power and
responsibility, for no Girl Scout or other honorable woman--whether old
or young--could use her influence as a woman excepting to strengthen the
characters and to support the honor of the men and boys with whom she
comes in contact.
Kipling, in ~Kim~, says that there are two kinds of women,--~one kind that
builds men up, and the other that pulls men down~; and there is no doubt
as to where a Girl Scout should stand.
This great law is nothing to make a girl feel proud or superior to men;
but, on the contrary, the understanding of it should make her humble and
watchful to be faithful to her trust. Many a boy has been strengthened
in his character and his whole life made happier by the brave refusal of
a girl to do wrong; while the opposite weakness has been the cause of
endless misery and wretchedness.
To gain and always retain the power to be a true woman friend to the men
who belong in her own sphere of life is not always an easy matter for a
girl, for she cannot do it unless she keeps a watch over her own faults
and weaknesses so that the best of her is always in control. You can not
fight for the right in the life of another unless you are first fighting
for the right in your own life.
The chief difficulty in acquiring this happy and cheerful dignity comes
from _the desire to be admired_, which is a tendency inborn in the great
majority of women. It stands in the way of their greatest strength and
usefulness, because it takes away their real independence and keeps them
thinking about themselves instead of about others. It is a form of
bondage which makes them vain and self-conscious and renders impossible
the truest and happiest companionship between men and women friends.
"Be prepared," therefore, to do a true woman's full duty to her men by
never allowing the desire for admiration to rule your actions, words, or
thoughts. Our country needs women who are prepared.
Prepared for what?
To do their duty.
Be Strong
Have you ever stopped to think that your most constant companion
throughout life will be yourself? You will always have this body, this
mind, and this spirit that you call "I," but this body, this mind, this
spirit are constantly growing and changing, and it is quite possible for
the owner to direct this growth and change. In order to live well, in
order to possess the joy of life, and to be helpful to others, a Scout
needs to apply her motto "Be prepared" to herself. Strength and beauty
should be hers in body, mind, and spirit.
[Illustration]
The body responds very readily to proper care and attention. In fact one
may have the kind of body that she wishes, if a beginning is made in
youth, and a plan persistently followed. The joyful exercise of vigorous
outdoor games gives the finest type of training to the body, and at the
same time the player enjoys the fun. To be happy and merry has a good
effect itself on the body, while being angry or morose actually
saturates the body with slow poisons. The body and mind are very closely
related. Things that are good for one are good for the other. A girl who
develops a strong agile body, at the same time improves her brain. A
girl with weak, flabby muscles cannot have the strength of character
that goes with normal physical power. It has been said, that "health is
the vital principle of bliss, and exercise of health."
Be Helpful
To make others happy is the Scout's first wish. When you come home from
work or school turn your thoughts to those you love at home and try to
see what you can do to lighten their burdens or cheer them. It is not
beyond the power of a girl to make home peaceful and happy. Perhaps
there are little ones to think of. They are quick to copy and every good
action and kind word of yours may have an effect on them through their
whole lives.
DO A GOOD TURN to some one every day. That is one of the Scout laws. Tie
a knot that you will have to untie every night, and before you go to
sleep think of the good turn you did that day--if you find you have
forgotten, or that the opportunity has not arisen that day, do two next
day to make up for it. By your Scout's oath you know you are in honor
bound to try to do this. It need be only a small thing. Help some one
across the street or show him the way to the place he wishes to go. Aid
a person overburdened with packages, or pick one up that has dropped.
Any little thing of this sort will count.
Habits
"'Tis today we make tomorrow." One of our wisest men has said that each
one of us is a bundle of habits. We are so made that once we perform any
act, that particular thing is ever afterward easier to do. We tend to do
the things we have already done. By selecting the right things to do and
always doing them, we actually are making our destiny. Each one of us
has her character made by her habits. Habits are repeated acts, and we
may choose what our habits should be by choosing our acts. As Scouts we
choose to be happy, loyal, helpful girls. As we practice the Scout laws
they become a part of us.
Modesty
Girl Scouts have often been complimented for their modest bearing. One
does not hear them talk about what they have done, or what they are
going to do. They just do the thing and say nothing about it. They go
about their business or pleasure quietly and gently, and never draw
attention to themselves unnecessarily by behaving noisily and talking or
laughing loudly in public. They should be particularly careful of this
when in the company of boys or men. Girls and boys should be comrades
and should never do anything to lose the respect of older men and women.
Girls of good feeling should be especially careful to be modest in
dress and deportment on social occasions. Unfortunately many girls who
are perfectly innocent and unconscious, cause comment and are the cause
of improper feelings being aroused among their companions. Girls should
not risk, by their manner of dress or method of dancing, bringing
temptation to others. It is easily possible for a girl to exert an
excellent influence upon her friends by setting a proper example.
Reading
Wherever you go you will have the choice of good or bad reading, and as
reading has such a lasting effect on the mind, you should try to read
only good things. If you find that you are tempted by reading rubbish,
it is easy to stop doing so. Once you know what your fault is you can
fight it squarely. Ruskin says, "All your faults are gaining on you
every hour that you do not fight them."
The thing is, when there is danger before you, don't stop and think
about it,--the more you look at it the less you will like it,--but take
the plunge and go boldly in at it, and it will not be half as bad as it
looked, when you are once in it. This is the way to deal with any
difficulty in life. If you have a job, or if any trouble arises which
seems too difficult to meet, don't shirk it--just smile, and try and
think out a way by which you may get successfully through with it. Read
in _AEsop's Fables_ how the old man advised his son that it was easy to
break a bundle of rods, but only if you took them one at a time.
Economy
More women are engaged in housekeeping than in all the other professions
and employments combined. This is a difficult profession and requires
knowledge and training, if good results are to be secured. Housekeepers
need to have a plan, and especially a budget of expenses. One of the
chief duties of housekeeping consists in seeing that there be no waste
of any kind. The efficient housekeeper prevents a waste of food, of
light, fuel, and of every other item. The wise individual gives special
care to preventing a waste of time on the part of herself and others.
The real orderly Girl Scout has a place for everything and keeps
everything in its place. She has a time for performing each of her
duties and does it at that time.
Thrift
It seems easy to learn how to spend money, but it is an art to learn how
best to spend. Scouts gain experience by being allowed to purchase for
the company, also by keeping the accounts, and they should always keep
their own accounts neatly. We have to keep accounts when we grow up, and
it is well to get into the way of measuring our expenditure from the
first. You will remember that one of the Scout laws is to BE THRIFTY.
The girl who begins making money young will go on making it as she grows
older. It may be difficult at first, but it will come easier later on,
especially if you earn money by hard work. If you try to make it only by
easy means you are bound to lose after a time. Any number of poor girls
have become rich, but in nearly every case it was because they meant to
do so from the first. They worked for it and put every penny that could
be spared into a savings account. The history of the majority of the
world's greatest millionaires is that they began life without a dollar.
To become a first-class Scout a girl must have a certain amount in the
savings bank before she can have the honor of receiving her badge. By
saving only two cents a week at least a dollar a year is saved.
Employment
"Stick to it" the thrush sings. One of the worst weaknesses of many
people is that they do not have the perseverance to stick to what they
have to do. They are always wanting to change. Whatever you take up, do
it with all your might, and stick to it. Besides the professions of
nursing, teaching, stenography and type-writing, and clerking, there are
many less crowded employments, such as hair-dressing, making flowers,
coloring photographs, assisting dentists, and gardening. There are many
occupations for women, but before any new employment can be taken up one
must begin while young to make plans and begin collecting information.
"Luck is like a street car; the only way to get it is to look out for
every chance and seize it--run at it and jump on; don't sit down and
wait for it to pass. Opportunity is a street car which has few stopping
places."
CHOOSE A CAREER: "Be prepared" for what is going to happen to you in the
future. Try to master one trade so that you will be independent. Being
punctual is a most important thing. This counts for a great deal in
filling any kind of position.
Be Observant
In the early days of human development, centuries ago, the chief
training men had was gained from fishing, hunting, and the other
activities of savage life in the woods. This is a very valuable kind of
training which city people miss. This knowledge of the woods, of animals
and their habits, and of all the other phases of nature necessary for
life in the open is called "Wood-craft." It is possible to train
ourselves to be observant of nature and to develop a keenness of sight
and hearing that are very valuable. It is a part of the duty of Scouts
to see and appreciate the beauties of nature, and not be blind to them
as so many people are.
Try to see everything. Consider it almost a disgrace if, when with
others, they see anything big or small, high or low, near or far, that
you fail to discover. See it first if you can.
Careers
Well educated women can make a good income by taking up translating,
library work, architecture, and many professions which formerly have
been open only to men. In Russia, a municipal fire brigade has been
commanded by a young woman. The medical profession offers a great
opportunity to women. Nursing is more easily learned, and is of the
greatest advantage at the same time, for every woman is a better wife
and mother for having been a nurse first. Even so long ago as the first
century women devoted their lives to the medical profession, as Zenais,
a relative of St. Paul, Leonilla, and Hildegarde of Mont Rupert. Later,
Nicerate, in 404, studied medicine and practiced with great ability.
Fifty years ago no woman could become a doctor. Now it is within the
power of any intelligent girl, through study and perseverance, to enter
the medical profession, and even to rise to distinction and to honorable
celebrity. Mme. Curie has done such wonderful work in chemistry, that
the Academy of Paris has long debated whether she should not be made an
academician for her discoveries in connection with polonium and radium.
Study
Each one of us has her own destiny in her control, and has her own
personal problems in life to settle. Thus, we all need all the knowledge
and wisdom that we can secure. Each one of us should be a student, ever
growing in power of thought and in usefulness to others. Too many
people think that education consists in memorizing all kinds of
information exactly as it is put down in the books. What each one of us
really needs is to have a mind that can think definitely and
intelligently upon all the problems presented in life. It is possible
for us to train our minds for this kind of useful and independent
thought. In the first place we should select subjects for study that are
of real interest because they bear upon some problem that concerns us.
Whenever we begin to read a book, or undertake any topic of study, it
should be done with a definite purpose in mind. Propose to yourself some
question that you expect to be answered by this book, or by this
subject. Do not be satisfied with the statement of one author, but also
find out what other authors say, and what some of your friends think
upon this question. When you have done this, try to arrange the
different thoughts and statements according to a plan. Pick out the
largest truth in the whole matter and arrange other statements or
thoughts as they are related to this central one. Making an outline of a
book is an excellent plan. Do not commit yourself entirely to the
author's point of view, if it does not agree with your own. Each one of
us has a distinct individuality and is entitled to his own views, to a
certain extent. However, we should keep our minds open, ready to accept
new truths as they are brought to our attention. Science and knowledge
are constantly advancing, and what we believe now, we may find, some
years hence, to be only a part of the truth. Thus, it is not necessary
to memorize lessons and subjects until after we have thought out what
the real meaning is, and arranged the whole subject on a definite plan.
Then, we will usually find that we know the topic without having to
memorize it formally. Finally we should try to put to use the ideas we
have gained. The real value of ideas lies in making them serve us. When
you have actually put into practice some bit of knowledge, you may then
feel that it really belongs to you.
In our work and study we need to learn to devote our whole attention to
one thing,--to do this one thing with all the power that we have. Too
many of us form a habit of dividing our attention, trying to carry two
things in mind at the same time. This is a weakness that interferes with
our success. If we are truly interested, we should put our whole
attention upon the one matter and develop power of concentration.
To make what has been said about study clearer, let us use an
illustration. Suppose one of our Girl Scouts is fond of gardening. The
family has no garden, and there is a vacant space in the yard that could
be used for this purpose. She begins the reading of one of the farmers'
bulletins on this subject, and has in mind, all the time, making a
garden of her own. This object of making her own garden is her guide in
the study. She wishes to learn what plants are best suited to her plot,
which ones will give her the best return for the kind of soil that she
has, and so, as she reads, she chooses for herself from the ideas that
are presented. The whole subject is arranged in her own mind around her
own plan of making a garden. After reading this bulletin she is likely
to consult her friends who know anything about this subject, and to read
other articles. Finally she puts into practice the notions she has
gathered, and finds through actual trial whether they succeed or not. If
she is successful in growing flowers and vegetables, the ideas have been
put to a very practical and beneficial use. This girl will know a great
deal more about gardening than if she merely read the book.
Patriotism
You belong to the great United States of America, one of the great world
powers for enlightenment and liberty. It did not just grow as
circumstances chanced to form it. It is the work of your forefathers who
spent brains and blood to complete it. Even when brothers fought they
fought with the wrath of conviction, and when menaced by a foreign foe
they swung into line shoulder to shoulder with no thought but for their
country.
In all that you do think of your country first. We are all twigs in the
same fagot, and every little girl goes to make up some part or parcel of
our great whole nation.