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
heavenwa