52 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA units making use of it, so that they can give their own instructions in the matter. In our association dealing with Jews, Hindoos, Greek Church, as well as with Catholics and Protestants, we can- not lay down strict sectarian ideas — if we would. It is often the best to introduce it by " sips " here and there among other in- struction, in every branch, as I suggest in the chapters on " Chivalry," Boy Exercises, and elsewhere in this book. This is a matter for the discretion of the scoutmaster. Charles Stelzle, in his " Boys of the Streets and How to Win Them," says: — Sometimes we are so much concerned about there being enough religion in our plans for the boy, that we forget to leave enough boy in the plans. According to the notions of some, the ideal boys' club would consist of prayer meetings and Bible classes, with an occasional missionary talk as a treat and perhaps magic lantern views of the Holy Land as a dizzy climax." Religion can and ought to be taught to the boy, but not in a milk-and-watery way, or in a mysterious and lugubrious manner ; he is very ready to receive it if it is shown in its heroic side and as a natural every-day quality in every proper man, and it can be well introduced to boys through the study of nature. The study of God's work is a fit subject for Sunday instruction. For this reason the scouting suggested for use on Sundays in a Christian country is — to attend Church or Church-parade, and then to devote the rest of the day to scouting, in the shape of Nature study. To watch the habits of animals, and to study the wonders of the plants or insect life and so on is better than that Sunday loafing which at present ruins a very large proportion of our young men — and girls. A number of Sunday schools have now taken up Scouting " in this way as part of their training, and with best results. There is no need for this instruction to be dismal, that is, " all tears and texts." Arthur Benson, writing in
- ' The Cornhill Magazine," says there are four Christian virtues,
not three. They are Faith, Hope, Charity — and Humor. So also in the morning prayer of Robert Louis Stevenson : — " The day returns and brings us the petty round of irritating concerns and duties. Help us to play the man — help us to per- form them with laughter and kind faces. Let cheerfulness abound with industry. Give us to go blithely on our business all
