THE RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
NATURE'S TEACHINGS
SUNDAY IN CAMP
BIBLE STUDY
HOW AND WHEN TO TEACH THE BIBLE
COURSE OF CAMP BIBLE STUDY
BIBLE STUDY COURSE FOR BOY SCOUTS
DEVOTIONS IN TENT
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
A "NOVEL" BON-FIRE
READING OF STORIES ON SUNDAY
PURPOSEFUL READING
CHAPEL SERVICES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with
bended head and hands folded upon her breast.--Emerson.
Camp life should help boys to grow not only physically and mentally, but
morally. Religion is the basis of morality. The highest instinct in man is
the religious. Man made the city with all its artificiality, but, as some
one has said, "God made the country." Everything that the city boy comes
in contact with is man-made. "Even the ground is covered with buildings
and paving blocks; the trees are set in rows like telegraph poles; the
sunlight is diluted with smoke from the factory chimneys, the moon and
stars are blotted out by the glare of the electric light; and even the
so-called lake in the park is a scooped-out basin filled by pumps. Little
wonder that a boy who grows up under these conditions has little reverence
for a God whose handiwork he has not seen."[1]
[Footnote 1: Walter M. Wood in Association Boys, June. 1907.]
Nature's Teachings
When a boy's soul is open to the influence of nature he feels the presence
of the divine in the forest. There is an uplift, an inspiration, a joy
that he never experiences in the city. He does not know how to express
himself, but somehow he feels the spiritual atmosphere pervading the woods
which his soul breathes in as really as his nostrils do the pure air, and
he is ready to Go forth, under the open sky and list to Nature's
teachings.
-Bryant.
For as Martin Luther said, "God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone,
but in trees and flowers and clouds and stars."
Sunday
Sunday in a boys' camp should be observed by the holding of a service in
the morning, with song, scripture reading, prayer and a short talk. The
afternoon is usually occupied by letter writing, Bible study, or reading,
the day closing with a vesper service in the evening just as the sun is
setting. Boisterousness should not be encouraged. Unnatural restraint,
however, is contrary to the spirit of the day. The day should be different
from other days. Many camp boys date their first real awakening to the
best and highest things in life from a Sunday spent in camp.
Every real camper has experienced a Sunday similar to this one described
by Howard Henderson. "A quiet Sunday in the deep woods is a golden day to
be remembered for many a year. All nature combines to assist the camper in
directing his thoughts to the great Author of all the beauty that he
beholds. 'The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
his handiwork.' The trees under which one reclines rear their heads
heavenward, pointing their spire-like minarets far up toward the
blue-vaulted roof. It inspires the very soul to worship in these unbuilt
cathedrals with wilderness of aisle and pillars, which for elegance and
beauty have never been equalled by the architects of any age. And the
music of the trees combined with the notes of the bird songsters, give a
joy which is unknown in listening to a city choir."
Bible Study
The Bible becomes a new book to boys when studied under such an
environment. As one boy wrote home to his father after a Sunday spent in a
camp where Sunday was observed in this manner, "Dad, it is so different
here, from a Sunday at home; I understood the talk and the Bible study was
great; it was a bully day!"
The following Bible course was worked out by the author and has been used
in scores of boys' camps. These lessons were taught to groups of boys at
eventide when nature seemed to quiet down and the boys were most
responsive to good, sensible suggestion. The camp was divided into tent
groups, each group being taught by their leader or an exchange leader, one
group occupying a big rock, another the "Crow's Nest," or "Tree House,"
another getting together under a big tree, another in their tent. No
leader was permitted to take more than twenty minutes for the lesson. It
is unwise to take twenty minutes for what could be said in ten minutes.
The boys all had a chance to take part in the discussion. Each lesson was
opened and closed with prayer, many of the boys participating in volunteer
prayer. In teaching a lesson don't spend too much time in description
unless you have the rare gift of being able to make your scene live before
your hearers. Talk plainly and to the point. Naturalness should
characterize each lesson. Boys hate cant[1] and apologies and lack of
definiteness. Your best illustrations will be drawn from the life of the
camp and from nature.
[Transcriber's Footnote 1: Monotonous talk filled with platitudes.
Hypocritically pious language.]
In some camps these lessons were taught in the morning directly after
breakfast, while the boys were seated at the tables.
There are "Sermons in stones, and good in every thing," therefore the
purpose of these lessons should be to help boys hear these sermons and
learn nature's lessons of purity, strength and character.
A COURSE IN BIBLE STUDY
LESSON 1. THE HILLS-PRAYER
Psalm 121.
Christ going into the mountains to pray.
Matt. 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; Mark 1:35; Matt. 6:6-15.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Unnatural not to pray. Even Pagans pray, but they pray through fear.
More things are wrought through prayer than this world dreams of.
--Tennyson.
Pray to Christ as friend to friend. The Lord's Prayer.
He prayeth well who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.
He prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small,
For the dear God who loveth us
He made and loveth all.
--Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner."
Strength received through prayer. A time and place for prayer.
LESSON 2. THE BIRDS--DEPENDENCE UPON GOD
Matt. 6:26; Psa.147:9; Luke 12:24; Matt. 10:29-31.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
God feeding the birds. How much more does God care for you. Not one
forgotten, the most worthless, the most restless.
God loves the birds. He loves you. Show your love to Him by caring for the
birds.
Isa. 40: 28-31.
Abraham Lincoln and the bird fallen from the nest.--"Gentlemen, I could
not have slept tonight if I had not helped that little bird in its
trouble, and put it back safe in the nest with its mother."
LESSON 3. FLOWERS-PURITY
Matt. 6:28-30. Beauty of flowers.
Isa. 55:10-13. Provision for summer growth and beauty.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
(Bring wild flowers to the class.)
Flowers come up out of the dirt yet unsoiled.
Possible for boys to keep clean and pure, surrounded by evil.
Evil thoughts determine evil deeds.
"My strength is as the strength of ten
Because my heart is pure."-Sir Galahad.
Purity of character, the lily.
Know thyself. Keep thyself pure. 1 Cor. 3:16,17.
White Cross Pledge.
Virtue never dwelt long with filth and nastiness.--Count Rumford.
LESSON 4. TREES--GROWTH
Psalm 1. (Hold the session under the biggest and best proportioned
tree.)
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Cedars of Lebanon--Strong in the Lord.
The oaks--From acorns grew.
The fruit tree--Living for others.
By their fruits ye shall know them.
Stunted trees. Crooked trees.
Scarred trees. Grafted trees.
Matt. 1:16-20; Jer. 11:7, 8.
Things that interfere with a boy's growth.
LESSON 5. WATER-LIFE
(Hold the session along the shore.)
Psa. 65:9-13. God's liberality.
Isa. 55: 1. Freeness of the gospel.
John 4:14. Woman at the well.
Rev. 22:11. The last invitation in the Bible.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
The joy of living. The fun at camp.
Friendship.
Temporal life vs. eternal life.
Water will only satisfy thirst temporarily.
Water revives--Christ satisfies.
Eternal life for the asking.
LESSON 6. ROCKS--CHARACTER
(Hold the session on or near some big boulder or rock.)
Matt. 7:24-27. A good foundation.
1 Cor. 3:9-14.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
All boys are building character day by day.
All builders have a choice of foundation.
All foundations will be tried.
Only one foundation will stand.
Jesus Christ is the Rock of Ages.
"Every thought that we've ever had
Its own little place has filled.
Every deed we have done, good or bad
Is a stone in the temple we build."-Sargant.
Character, not reputation, will alone stand the final test.
LESSON 7. STORMS--TROUBLE
Matt. 8:23-27. Need of help.
Phil. 4:6. A strong deliverer.
Psa. 107:28-30. A safe place.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Boys have real troubles, real temptations, real shipwrecks.
Difficulties in school life, at home, in camp.
Almost ready to give up.
Have faith in Christ as a Saviour.
"The inner side of every cloud
Is bright and shining,
I therefore turn my clouds about,
And always wear them inside out
To show the lining."
"Look ever to Jesus. He'll carry you through."
LESSON 8. SPORTS--MASTERY
(Teach this lesson after a field day.)
1 Cor. 9:24-27. The race of life. Mastery of self.
Heb. 12:1, 2. Run with patience.
1 Tim. 6:12. A good fight.
Rev. 2:10. Faithfulness.
Ecele. 9:11. Not always to the swift.
Eccle. 9:10. Wholeheartedness.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
"Each victory of self will help you some other to win."
Self-control.
Value of training. You are either master or slave.
The Bible, the book of instruction.
Solomon's rule of self-defence. Prov. 15: 1.
LESSON 9. NIGHT--SIN
Psa. 19. Night unto night.
John 3:19-20. Evil deeds.
Rom. 13:11-14. Awake out of sin.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Bad thoughts come to us in the dark.
Dark places productive of crime.
Mischief at camp during the night.
Darkness cannot hide us from God.
"Thou God seest me."
North star a guide for sailors--Jesus Christ a safe guide.
"Character is what a man is in the dark."
-D. L. Moody.
LESSON 10. CHUMS--FRIENDSHIP
1 Sam. 18:1-4. True friendship.
1 John 4:11. Love one another.
1 Cor. 13:4-7. To the end.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Chum means "to abide with," to share the same tent. Camp chums. David
and Jonathan. The genuine article. Helping each other.
The Friend--Jesus Christ.
LESSON 11. CAMP FIRES
Build a camp fire along the shore. Read alternately the twenty-first
chapter of the gospel of St. John. The fire on the beach. John 21:9.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Jesus was there--Jesus is here.
Peter confessed Him there. John 21:15-17.
Who will confess Him here?
Peter denied Him by another fire. Luke 22:54-62.
Will you deny Him here?
P. S. Make this a decision meeting.
LESSON 12. FISHING--PERSONAL WORK
Luke 5:1-11. Fishers of men.
PRACTICAL THOUGHTS
Sometimes fish are caught and used as bait to catch others. When a boy
becomes a Christian he should bring to others the same blessing.
Patience is essential in fishing--same in winning boys to Christ. Every
fisherman expects to catch fish. To lead others to Christ is the noblest
work in the world. Dan. 12: 3.
Tent Devotions
In some camps a bit of Scripture is read each night in the tent just
before retiring. The following readings having been prepared by W. H.
Wones, C. C. Robinson, Arthur Wilson and Charles R. Scott for use at Camp
Wawayanda. Just before taps, if you have a good cornetist, have him go a
short distance from the camp and play a well known hymn, like "Abide With
Me," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "Lead, Kindly Light," then play "taps."
The effect is wonderful, and prevents all inclination toward noise or
"rough house."
JULY
TOPIC: VACATION
1. Personal Work on a Journey. John 4:5-15.
2. Its Results. John 4:27-30, 39, 42.
3. The Disciples' Trip for Service. Mark 6:7-13.
4. Their Interrupted Vacation. Mark 6: 30-42.
5. A Night on the Lake. Mark 6:45-56.
6. A Foolish Journey. Luke 15:11-17.
7. A Wise Return. Luke 15:18-24.
8. The Welcome Guest. John 12:1-9.
9. A Fishing Experience. John 21:1-14.
10. Spending a Night on a Mountain. Luke 9:28-36.
11. Vacation Suggestion: "Keep Sweet." Psalm 34:8-15.
12. Vacation Suggestion: "Stick to Principle." Psalm 119:25-32.
13. Vacation Suggestion: "Confess Christ. "; Matthew 10:24-33.
14. Vacation Suggestion: "Keep up Bible Study."; Psalm 119:1-8.
15. Vacation Suggestion: "Write Good Letters." 1 Corinthians 16:3-13.
16. Speaking for Christ While Traveling; Acts 8:26-39.
17. A Queen's Visit. 1 Kings 10:1-10.
18. An Adventurous Voyage. Acts 27:1-13.
19. Shipwreck. Acts 27:14-26.
20. All Saved. Acts 27:27-44.
21. Praying for a Prosperous Journey. Romans 1:8-16.
22. A Traveler's Adventures. 2 Corinthians 11:23-33.
23. A Merry Heart Desirable. Proverbs 15:13-17.
24. Keeping from Sin. Romans 6:16-23.
25. Meeting a Stranger. Luke 24:13-27.
26. A Delightful Surprise. Luke 24:28-35.
27. Jacob's Bivouac. Genesis 28:10-22.
28. David's Prayer in the Cave. Psalm 142:1-7.
29. Avoiding Sinful Pleasure. Hebrews 11:23-27.
30. Peter's Counsel. 1 Peter 4:1-10.
31. The Greatest Pleasure. Psalm 16: 1-11.
AUGUST
TOPIC: NATURE
1. The Story of Nature's Creation. Genesis 1:11-22.
2. The First Garden. Genesis 2:8-17.
3. God's Care for His Creation. Matthew 6:25-34.
4. The Symbol of Peace. Genesis 8:1-11.
5. The Sign of God's Promise. Genesis 9:8-17.
6. The Burning Bush. Exodus 3:1-6.
7. The Accompaniment of God's Presence. Exodus 19:16-25.
8. Nature Halts to Accomplish God's Purpose. Joshua 10:5-14.
9. Nature's Tribute to God's Glory. Psalm 97:1-12.
10. The Midnight Hymn. Psalm 8:1-9.
11. The Sunrise Hymn. Psalm 19:1-14.
12. The Thunder-storm Hymn. Psalm 29:1-11.
13. The God of Storm. Matthew 8:23-33.
14. Nature has no perils for the God-fearing Man. Job 5:8-27.
15. The Full Ear. Matthew 13:1-9,18,23.
16. Harmful Weeds. Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43.
17. The God of Nature Protects Us. Psalm 121:1-8.
18. He Cares for Us. Psalm 147:1-20.
19. God's Voice After the Storm. 1 Kings 19:5-13.
20. The Tree of Life. Proverbs 3:13-21.
21. The Trees Desire a King. Judges 9:8-15; Joshua 24:15.
22. The Root Out of Dry Ground. Isaiah 53:1-12.
23. Water Without Price. Isaiah 55:1-13.
24. The Perfect Vine. John 15:1-14.
25. The Light Brighter than the Sun. Acts 9:1-20.
26. A Wonderful Star. Matthew 2:1-11.
27. Sand or Rock? Matthew 7:24-27.
28. Broken Branches. Matthew 21:1-11.
29. The Unprofitable Tree. Matthew 7:15-21.
30. The Profitable Tree. Psalm 1:1-6.
31. Do Good in all Seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1-12.
BOY SCOUT COURSE
For a Boy Scout Camp, the following course, "Boy's Scout Guide
Book Study," was prepared by W. S. Dillon:
THE SCOUT'S OATH
Lesson 1. To Do My Duty to God and My Country.
Daniel 1:8; 6:4-10.
Lesson 2. To Help Other People at All Times. Exodus 3:1-11.
Lesson 3. To Obey the Scout Law. Exodus 20:3-17; Luke 10:26, 27;
Matthew 7:12.
THE SCOUT SALUTE AND SIGN
Lesson 4. Judges 12:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 6:14.
THREE CLASSES OF SCOUTS THE TENDERFOOT
Lesson 5. Luke 5:1-11.
THE SECOND CLASS SCOUT
Lesson 6. Have at Least One Month's Service as a Tenderfoot.
2 Samuel 15:1-6.
Lesson 7. Signalling. 1 Samuel 20:20-22; 35-39.
Lesson 8. Lay and Light a Fire. Fire Lighting Contest.
1 Kings 18: 22-24.
FIRST CLASS SCOUT
Lesson 8. Signalling. Daniel 5: 1-31.
Lesson 9. Go on Foot to a Given Point and Return and Give a Report
of the Trip. Numbers 13:1-3; 17-21; 23-33.
Lesson 10. Produce an Article of Carpentry, Joinery or Metal Work. 2
Chronicles 2:11-16.
Lesson 11. Bring a Tenderfoot Trained in the Points Required for a
Tenderfoot. John 1: 40-42.
THE SCOUT LAW
Lesson 12. A Scout's Honor is to be Trusted. Genesis 39:7-10.
Lesson 13. Loyalty. Esther 4:8-16.
Lesson 14. A Scout is a Friend to All, and Must NEVER BE A SNOB.
Luke
9:46-48.
Lesson 15. A Friend to Animals. 1 Samuel 17:12-16.
Lesson 16. Obey Orders. Jonah 1:1-3.
Lesson 17. Cheerfulness and Willingness.
Acts 16 :25; Phillippians 4:11-13.
Lesson 18. Thrift. Matthew 6:19-21.
THE GREAT SCOUT MASTER
Lesson 19. Matthew 23:10.
Novel Bonfire
The author experienced something very unusual one Sunday afternoon in a
camp where he was invited to speak. The talk was on "Trees or Growth," one
of the studies of the course described. During the talk a number of things
were referred to that enter into the growth of a tree which either mar or
hinder it from becoming a symmetrical, beautiful tree and a similar
comparison was made regarding a boy's growth. The question was asked of
the boys, "What are some of the things which interfere with a boy's growth
physically, mentally and morally?" A number of things, such as smoking,
swearing, impurity, etc., were given, and finally one of the small boys
piped up "reading dime novels." His answer was received with howls of
derision, especially from the older boys. "Hold on," I said, "let's
discuss the matter; if dime novels are good for a boy's growth mentally,
we want to know about it, but if they are detrimental to this particular
kind of desired growth, of course, we want to cut it out." The discussion
brought out the fact that a number of the boys had smuggled a lot of this
kind of literature into camp and were just loafing through their time in
the woods, gloating over the wonderful and daring escapades of Wild West
heroes. The boys finally decided that their mental growth was retarded by
such reading. Then came the question, "What are you going to do about it?"
"We don't usually have a bonfire on Sunday," I said. "I am inclined,
however, to ask your leader for a special dispensation and we will have
one.
You are to furnish the fuel, your leader the kerosene oil and I will
provide the match. The fuel is to consist of all the dime novels in the
camp." "Whew!" "I know it will take grit to do this, but it is a test of
your sincerity and determination to progress along right lines." "We're
game?" yelled the boys, "and we mean business."
The start was made for the place where the bonfires were usually held. By
the time I reached the spot, the boys were coming from their tents with
bundles of novels. Every boy was requested to tear each novel in half and
throw it upon the heap. When everything was ready, the boys uncovered and
in the silence that came upon the group, the match was struck and the
flames began to leap upward, until finally, all that remained was the
small piles of ashes. For the majority of the boys it meant the burning up
of the dross and the beginning of better and nobler thinking. I shall
always remember this novel bonfire. This is what I mean by making Bible
study and camp talks effective.
Reading
Sunday afternoon is the time for reading good, wholesome stories. Take the
boys out into the woods where they can squat under a big tree, or if the
day is warm seek the cool shelter of the tent and while the boys are lying
down read a short story or several chapters of a story like "Dr.
Grenfell's Parish," by Norman Duncan, "Just Boys," by Mary Buell Wood,
"Some Boys I Know," "Chapel Talks," or "The Story of Good Will Farm," by
George W. Hinckley. If the group is made up of older boys who like to
discuss life problems, read a chapter or two from Robert Speer's excellent
books, "A Young Man's Questions" and "Young Men Who Overcame." Make sure
that whatever you read has the uplift note. The real purpose of the
afternoon's reading should be that of instilling in the boys' minds some
of the cardinal virtues of Christian character.
Don't moralize; let the story do its own moralizing. Boys are hero
worshippers. If the hero or the heroic appeal of the story is of a sane
type and not abnormal there will be created naturally within the boy a
desire to emulate the good deeds of the hero in the everyday life of the
camp, which is much better than the parrot-like vocalization unfortunately
many times encouraged by well-meaning men.
Chapel
A pile of stones made to serve as an altar or pulpit, a chapel having the
branches of a friendly pine as its roof and under which are built a
reading desk and seats of white birch, a cathedral with towering columns
of pine and cushions of pine needles, a rocky shore along the ocean--all
are places where boys have heard the appeal for right living and responded
with an earnest decision that marked an advance step in their moral and
religious growth.
Make much of the music at these outdoor services on Sunday. A choir of men
and boys responding in the distance to the hymns of the camp boys, in
antiphonal manner, a cornetist playing a hymn in the distance, make an
impression never to be forgotten.
The great test of camp life is not the fun the boy had, or his gain in
weight, height or lung capacity, or the friendships formed, or his
increased knowledge in woodcraft, but his advancement in character-making
and gain in spiritual vigor.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS HELPFUL IN THE PREPARATION OF BIBLE STUDY LESSONS:
Lessons from Life (Animal and Human)--Thomas Whittaker. Macmillan,
$2.50.
Sermons in Stones--Amos R. Wells. Doubleday, Page & Company, $1.00.
Parables from Nature--Mrs. Gatty. Colportage Library, 15 cents.
A Good Bible Dictionary and Concordance.
BOOKS UPON THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF Boys:
The Boy and the Church--Eugene C. Foster. The Sunday School Times Co.,
75 cents net.
Starting to Teach--Eugene C. Foster. Association Pres., 40 cents.
The Child and His Religion--George E. Dawson. University of Chicago,
75 cents net.
Religion in Boyhood--Ernest B. Layard. E. P. Dutton and Company, 75
cents net.