restraint for the lads to repress their personal feelings under a sense of discipline: it teaches them the elements of fair play, in giving neither combatant encouragement or depression, and it is an antidote to that which I look upon as one of the worst features of a crowd looking on at football, viz., the surrendering of one's own individual judgment to be swayed by the mass around one. For this is the way to hysterics and panic, and to being led without thinking for oneself—a road which our countrymen are too prone to follow just now.
I think the exhibit which struck outsiders the most forcibly was that of the Missioners', the Social Service work, where a humble home-interior was shown with the old woman being tended and helped by Boy Scouts. This appeared to many to be an ideal scene and they were apparently very surprised to hear that it merely represented what is in reality quite an active and wide-spread branch of Scout-work.
It gave an inkling of the truer religion that underlies the movement, the practice instead of the preaching which makes religion active and real in the boy's life. The doing of good turns to others is the base of all forms of religion, and its practice by the Scouts enables us to prove that we take no note of differences of class or creed.
The Rally, at which close on 25,000 boys were assembled for review by H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, was an inspiring display of good order, discipline, and loyalty.
Among the many striking features:—
One was the solid rear rank behind the boys
12
