Page:St. Nicholas, vol. 40.1 (1912-1913).djvu/792

common desire to build a fire. The girls stand in a circle around the gathered fagots, hold their hands aloft, and repeat the fire-maker’s desire:

“As fuel is brought to the fire,
So I purpose to bring
My strength,
My ambition,
My heart’s desire,
My joy,
And my sorrow,
To the fire
Of humankind.
For I will tend,
As my fathers have tended,
And my fathers’ fathers,
Since time began,
The fire that is called
The love of man for man,
The love of man for God.”

But after she has brought her own life of individual service into union with that of her associates,

A TYPICAL CAMP-FIRE GIRL AND HER COSTUME.

she and the others must not be content with their own selfish enjoyment of even the most picturesque fire, or of the ardor of enthusiasm. She must make that fire beneficial and helpful to others in their work. She must be a humanitarian, and do missionary work for the good of others. So she takes some of this fire and carries it to others, and then, having become a torch-bearer, she expresses her desire in the following words:

“That light which has been given to me,
I desire to pass undimmed to others.”

She is now next to the Guardian, and must be trustworthy, happy, unselfish, a good leader, a good “team worker,” and liked by the other girls. There is one pretty symbolism in the building of the fire that not only brings to us the picturesque primitive methods of the Indians, but carries a lesson with it. The fire, as the instruction book says, “may be started with matches, but better still it may be started with the rubbing of sticks. If directions are carefully followed, it is not difficult to learn this method of starting a fire.” The management wisely recommends this Indian method, which not only takes the girls and the bystanders back to primitive days, but impresses this important lesson: do not wait to be led; do not wait for somebody to inspire you. Create your own original fire of enthusiasm. There are many young people, and older ones too, I fear, who are ready to follow, but slow to originate. They wait till somebody else coaxes and urges or inspires them. This is not the best method. The fire of enthusiasm should be developed by one’s own personal efforts. It is, therefore, wisely directed that this fire in the woods of the Camp- Fire Girls shall, if possible, be started by individual effort, not with borrowed fire or even with matches, for that symbolizes some one else’s work. But what, after all, is the ardor of enthusiasm worth if it does not lead to loftier, spiritual ideals? So the ode sung by the girls standing around the fire leads their thoughts to the Infinite.

“ODE TO FIRE
“Oh Fire!
 Long years ago, when our fathers fought with great animals, you were their protection.
 From the cruel cold of winter, you saved them.
 When they needed food, you changed the flesh of beasts into savory meat for them.
 During all the ages, your mysterious flame has been a symbol to them for Spirit.
 So (to-night) we light our fire in remembrance of the Great Spirit who gave you to us.”

After roll-call, reports, bestowing of honors, initiation of new members, songs, toasts, or any other part of the program, the girls rise and repeat in unison:

“Burn, fire, burn !
Flicker, flicker, flame !
Whose hand above this blaze is lifted
Shall be with magic touch engifted
To warm the hearts of lonely mortals
Who stand without their open portals.
The torch shall draw them to the fire
Higher, higher,
By desire.
Whoso shall stand by this hearthstone,
Flame-fanned,
Shall never, never stand alone;
Whose house is dark, and bare, and cold,