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.