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The Golden Principle

Hurt not others in ways that you would you yourself would find hurtful. -- Buddhism

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. --Christianity

This is the sum of all duty: treat others as you yourself would be treated. -- Hinduism

No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself. -- Islam

In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all creatures as you would regard your own self. -- Jainism

What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. -- Judaism

Be not estranged from another for God dwells in every heart. -- Sikhism

Human nature is good only when it does not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. -- Zoroastrianism

The Scout Beatitudes

Blessed are the Scouts who are led with patience and understanding... for they will learn the strength of endurance and the gift of tolerance.

Blessed are the Scouts who are provided a home where family members dwell in harmony and close communion...for they shall become the peacemakers of the world.

Blessed are the Scouts who are taught the value and power of truth...for they shall search for knowledge and use it with wisdom and discernment.

Blessed are the Scouts who are guided by those with faith in a loving God...for they will find Him early and will walk with Him through life.

Blessed are the Scouts who are loved and know that they are loved...for they shall sow seeds of love in the world and reap joy for themselves and others.

Understanding

The Deck of Cards

By T. Texas Tyler

During the North American campaign a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike. They arrived in a little town called Cassino and the next day being Sunday, several boys went to church. After the chaplain read the prayer, the text was taken up. Those of the boys who had prayerbooks took them out, but one boy had only a deck of cards, so he spread them out. The sergeant who commanded the boys saw the cards and said "Soldier, put away those cards."

After the service was over the soldier was taken prisoner and brought before the provost marshal. The marshal said "Sergeant why have you brought this man here?" "For playing cards in church, Sir." "And what have you to say for yourself, Son?" "Much, Sir", The soldier replied. The marshal said "I hope so, for if not I shall punish you severely."

The soldier said "You see, Sir, I have been on the march for six days and I had neither bible nor prayer book, But I hope to satisfy you, Sir, with the purity of my intentions.

You see, Sir, when I look at the Ace it reminds me there is but one God.

When I see the Deuce it reminds me that the Bible is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testaments.

When I see the Tray, I think of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

When I see the Four, I think of the four evangelists who preached the gospel. There were Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

When I see the Five it reminds me of the five Wise Virgins who trimmed their lamps; There were ten of them, five were wise and were saved, five were foolish and were shut out.

When I see the Six it reminds me that in six days God made this great Heaven and Earth.

When I see the Seven it reminds me that on the seventh day God rested.

When I see the eight, I think of the eight righteous persons God saved when he destroyed this earth. There was Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives.

And when I see the Nine I think of the lepers our Savior cleansed, and nine of the ten didn't even thank Him.

When I see the Ten I think of the ten commandments God handed to Moses on the table of stone.

When I see the King it reminds me once again there is but one King of Heaven, God Almighty.

When I see the Queen, I think of the blessed Virgin Mary, who is Queen of Heaven.

And the Jack of Knave is the Devil.

When I count the number of spots on a deck of cards I find three hundred and sixty five, the number of days in a year.

There are fifty two cards, the number of weeks in a year.

There are thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

There are four suits, the number of weeks in a month.

There are twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year.

So you see, Sir, my deck of cards has served me as a Bible, Almanac and prayer book.

And, friends, this story is true. I know, because I was that soldier.

-- Thanks to Bill Wheeler

The Deck of Cards (Tex Ritter Version)

"Friends, this is Tex Ritter with a strange story about a soldier boy and a deck of cards. During a North African campaign a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike, and they arrived in a little town called Casino.The next morning being Sunday several of the boys went to church. A Sargent commanded the boys in church, and after the Chaplin had read the prayer the text was taken up next..Those of the boys who had a prayer book took them out, but this one boy only had a deck of cards, and so he spread them out. The Sergeant saw the cards and said,'Soldier, put away those cards.' After the services were over the soldier was taken prisoner and brought before the Provost Marshall. The Marshall said, 'Sargent, why have you brought this man here?' 'For playing cards in church, sir.' 'And what have you to say for yourself,son? 'Not much, sir,' replied the soldier.

'The Marshall said, 'I hope so, for if not , I shall punish you more than any man was ever punished.' The soldier said, 'Sir , I have been on a march for about six days, and I had neither Bible nor Prayer Book, but I hope to satisfy you, Sir, with the purity of my intentions. With that the boy started his story. 'You see, Sir, when I look at the Ace it reminds me that there is but one God. The deuce reminds me that the Bible is divided into two parts; the Old and New Testaments. And when I see the trey I think of the Father,Son, and Holy Ghost. When I see the four I think of the four evangelist who preached the Gospel. There was Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And when I see the five it reminds me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps. Ten of 'em; five who were wise and were saved; five were foolish and were shut out. And when I see the six it reminds me that in six days God made this great heaven and earth. And when I see the seven it reminds me that on the seventh day God rested from His great work. When I see the eight I think of the eight righteous persons God saved when he destroyed this earth. There was Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives. And when I see the nine I think of the lepers our Savior cleansed , and nine of the ten didn't even thank Him.

When I see the ten I think of the Ten Commandments God handed down to Moses on a tablet of stone. When I see the King it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven, God Almighty. And when I see the queen I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is Queen of Heaven. And the jacks or knaves it's the devil. And when I count the number of spots on a deck of cards I find three hundred sixty-five the number of days in a year. Fifty-two cards, the number of weeks in a year. Four suits, the number of weeks in a month. Twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year. Thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter. So you see, Sir, my pack of cards serve me as a Bible, almanac, and prayer book.' Friends, I know this stroy is true, because I knew that soldier."

-- Thanks to J. Phil Gilbreath, Math, John R. Lowrance Middle School, Jacksboro, TX