Hiawatha Seaway Council: Scouting Text Files

	Scoutmasters Minutes
	submitted by: Spencer Kinard
	On My Honor

	An oath, a promise or a pledge, a declaration of intent, a sacred commitment to a worthy cause. The legendary knights of the round table took an oath to protect the weak, defend honor and establish civil order. There is a modern parallel to these knights of old. A present day brotherhood of young men who bind themselves to honor and duty with the taking of an oath - The Boy Scout Oath. On my honor, the pledge begins, a call to personal integrity and personal honesty which are only found in the pure in heart. I will do my best - my best, not what is convenient or acceptable under the circumstances, but one's best, unequaled, the highest standard of performance. To do my duty - to be at my post, regardless of sacrifice or cost, disregarding danger or ridicule. To do my duty to God - to truth, to conscience, to the divine spark which inhabits the human heart, and to do my duty to my country - my country bought and paid for with the blood of friends and ancestors. A duty for debt which must be paid, and to obey the scout law, a law which is based on honesty, virtue and strength of character. To help other people at all times - to forget one's self in the service of others, to learn the lesson which is the foundation of the Boy Scout philosophy, that he who loses his life for other shall find it. To keep myself physically strong because I know the body and spirit are one and to diminish physical strength is to decrease spiritual strength. To keep myself mentally awake - mentally alive, mentally challenged, always seeking, ever wanting to know and understand. And to keep myself morally straight, regardless of what others say or even what they do. I will value virtue, for virtue is power, an unseen force which moves men as well as mountains. This then is the Boy Scout Oath, a promise with manly principles of good intent. It is a universal pledge for all who are duty bound, for all who would be men.