The Presentation of a Rover Scout
The Self-Examination or Vigil
As one grows older, time passes more and more quickly. Comparatively speaking, life only lasts for a short time and is soon away.
- Am I making the best use of the life that God has given me?
- Am I frittering it away, in doing nothing that counts-that is, wasting it?
- Am I working at things that are not doing good to anybody?
- Am I seeking too much my own enjoyment or money-making, or promotion without trying to help other people?
- Whom have I injured or hurt in my life? Can I do anything to make amends?
- Whom have 1 helped in my life? Is there anyone else I can help?
The Rover Scout Section of the Scout Movement is described as a "Brotherhood of Service", so if we join it we shall get the opportunity of training for and of doing service in many ways that would not have been open to us otherwise.
- Am I joining the Rover Scout Section only for the fun I can get out of it?
- Am I determined to put real self-sacrificing Service into it?
- What do I mean by Service?
- Do I really think for others, rather than for myself, in my plans or undertakings?
What kind of Service am I best fitted to do-at home, at work, and in my spare time?
Service is not for spare time only. Service should be an attitude of life which will find outlets for its practical expression at all times.
We get no pay or reward for doing service, but that makes us free citizens in doing it. We are not working for an employer, but for God and our own conscience. This means that we are mature men or women.
As the success of our Service will depend to a great extent on our personal character, we must discipline ourselves in order that we may be a good influence on others.
- Am I determined to try and give up bad habits acquired in the past?
- What are the weak points in my character?
- Am I absolutely honourable, truthful and trustworthy?
- Am I loyal to God, and to the King, my Country, my family, my employers, those under me, the Scout Movement, my friends and myself?
- Am I good-tempered, cheery and kindly to others?
- Am I sober and clean-living, and clean-speaking?
- Have I pluck and patience to stick it out when things go against me?
- Have I a mind of my own, or do I allow myself to be carried away by the persuasion of others?
- Am I strong-minded enough to keep off temptation?
- If I am weak in some of these things, do I resolve here and now, with God's help, to do my best to correct them and give them up?
- May God give me strength to go forward henceforth a real man (woman), a true citizen, and a credit to my country.
The Investiture
The Investiture as outlined by the Founder is printed in full, but in order to assist those who prefer to leave out some of the ceremonial part, this is printed in italics. It should always be performed by the Rover Scout Leader, but if this is impossible, a Scout Officer who has himself been invested as a Rover may take his place.
It is suggested that it adds to the impressiveness of the occasion if the Rover Scout Leader has a copy of the ceremony bound in a suitable cover. He/she should, however, know it by heart.
A fitting close to the Investiture is to finish with prayers. Suitable prayers can be found in the book Prayers for Use in the Brotherhood of Scouts.
The Ceremony can be held, like the Vigil, in a church or chapel, in the open air, or in the Rover Scout den. If it is held in the Rover Scout den it has been found that it comes best at the end of an evening's programme.
The Investiture should never be held in public: it is a solemn exercise of the Crew's corporate life.
The Ceremony
NB: If it is not desired to use the ceremonial parts of the Investiture, they may be omitted.
The young man, after self-examination, is brought before the Rover Scout Crew, the Crew being in uniform, and stands with his two sponsors, one on either side, before a table, which is covered with a St. George's Cross, upon which is set a sewer of water and a basin and napkin. The Rover Scout Leader stands facing them behind the table, and, calling the candidate by name, says:
LEADER: Have you come with a desire to become a Rover Scout in our world-wide Brotherhood? CANDIDATE: I have. LEADER: In spite of any difficulties you have had in the past, are you now determined to do your best to be honourable, truthful and straight in all your dealings; clean in what you think; in what you say; in all that you do? CANDIDATE: I am. LEADER: Have you carefully thought what you are doing with your life? CANDIDATE: I have. LEADER: Do you understand that Service means that at all times you will be good-natured towards all other people, and will do your best to help them, even though it may not be convenient or pleasant or safe for you, and that you will expect no reward for so doing? CANDIDATE: I do. LEADER: Do you understand that by becoming a Rover Scout you are joining a Brotherhood in which we want to help you carry out your ideals, and in which we ask you to obey our Rules and carry out our motto 'of Service for others? CANDIDATE: I do. LEADER: In ancient times it was the custom of those about to become Knights to be laved with water, in token of the washing away of past misdeeds and as a sign that they were determined to commence afresh. Are you willing to give such a sign, here in the presence of us all? CANDIDATE: I am.
(The candidate, or if more than one, each in turn, thereupon places his hands together over the basin; one sponsor takes the ewer and pours water over them, while the other takes the napkin and dries the candidate's hands.)
LEADER: Understanding these things, then, I ask you to renew (or make*) your Scout Promise, bearing in mind that you are expected to interpret it not from a child’s point of view but from that of an adult.
(The candidate advances and at the same time the Rover Mate steps forward with the Group Flag in his hands and lowers it between the Rover Scout Leader and the candidate, who takes hold of the Flag with his left hand and makes the Scout sign with his right.)
CANDIDATE: On my honour, I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God, and the King, To help other people at all times, To obey the Scout Law.
The Rover Scout Leader then takes the new Rover Scout by the left hand and gives him a buffet on the left shoulder with the right hand, saying:
LEADER: I trust you on your honour to keep your Promise and give you the buffet which the knights of old received to remind you, as it did them, that you have one tender point, namely, your Honour: nothing should be more quickly felt than an Imputation against it.
After which the Rover Scout Leader fastens on the new Rover Scout's shoulder knot and presents him with his badges, saying:
LEADER: In this shoulder knot of yellow, green and red, you see the representative colours of the three sections of our Brotherhood (into which I now welcome you*) - let it remind you of your duty to your younger brothers, and of your responsibility, as a Rover Scout, to set them at all times an example worthy of your best self.
The Crew close in round the new Rover Scout, shaking him by the hand and giving him a welcome.
* These words are for use if the Squire is not already a member of the Movement.
