I will love and enjoy nature. The birds, the flowers, the trees and the brooks make the best of friends.  I will study the great book of nature around me, and seek to learn the secrets of its many forms.  I will live as much as I can in the great out-of-doors, finding in its beauty and freshness new evidences of God’s wisdom and goodness.  I will never injure nor destroy, but do all I can to protect the beautiful living and growing things about me.  I will find joy in the storm, the rain, and the snow, and then no day will seem dreary or dull to me.  I will seek for some good purpose in all harmless created things, making comrades of my animal playmates, and taking an interest in all such things as creep or crawl or fly; and need then never be lonely nor lack good company.  I will look upon the glory of the sunset, the wonder of a starlit night, the sparkle of the dew, and then reverently thank God that he has made the great world so beautiful and good.

I will each day turn to my heavenly Father for help, strength, and forgiveness. I know I cannot live my life as I should live it without God’s help and counsel.  I will therefore turn to him in prayer that he will guide me when I am puzzled or uncertain, that he will give me victory when I am tempted to do wrong, that he will give me courage when I falter or am afraid, that he will forgive me when I have sinned or failed in my duty.  I will take for my standard of life and action the example of Jesus, and show my love and appreciation by living as fully as I can the kind of life he lived.  I know that I cannot have God’s presence in my life unless I keep my heart pure and my conduct right; I will therefore, with his help, as nearly as I can, live from day to day as I think God would have me live, I will take time morning and evening of each day for a few moments of prayer, quiet thought, and for the study of the Bible.  I will do my best to be a worthy Christian.

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The teacher, of course, will need to adapt the application of such principles as those we have been discussing to the age and the needs of his pupils.  Such lessons cannot be presented as so much abstract truth.  The purpose, as we have already seen, is to lead the child to make such high ideals his habit of life and action, so that at last they may govern his conduct and become an inseparable part of his character.  To do this, such ideals must be made desirable and attainable.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL SERVICE

The forming of religious social habits is as important as the forming of religious personal habits.  From his earliest years the child should come to look on his church, his Sunday school, and the class to which he belongs as a responsibility in which he has a personal share.  His experience in connection with these organizations should be so interesting and satisfying that his attendance does not have to be compelled, but so that his loyalty, affection, and pride naturally lead him to them.