Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 18, 1910

The Boy Scouts

In the Outlook for August considerable space is devoted to the history of the Boy Scouts movement, which started in England about ten years ago. It has made such progress in that country that many thousands of boys have been enrolled in the organization. Recently a similar organization has been established in this country. The founders of the movement claim much for it, in that it seeks to make the boys more manly, chivalrous in their deportment, keen observers of nature, punctual in their habits, economical, etc. The underlying purpose, however, behind the movement is the education of boys for military service, and the creation of a patriotic spirit. And it is in this underlying object of the organization that the greatest evil is seen. The creation in the hearts of mere boys of the spirit of war is to be regretted, even if it be done under the plea of developing patriotism. It is better to train the minds of men away from the pursuits of war to the cultivation of peace and the development of peaceful industries. This surely is the principle of the gospel.