The Amusement Craze

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1915

The Amusement Craze

UNDER this heading one of our exchanges sounds an earnest note of warning and protest against the frivolity and amusement hunger of our times. It is a warning that needs to be sounded through the whole world, a warning that none can afford to let go by unheeded, a warning that may not be without point even to many who call themselves Seventh-day Adventists;—

“One of the distressing features of present-day civilization is the continual and increasing craze for entertainment. With countless multitudes of our young people the home seems to have lost all attraction. It is merely a place to sleep, change clothing, and flee from. The streets are filled with a reckless throng hastening in pursuit of entertainment. Theaters, shows, dance halls, pleasure parks, and all places of amusement are packed with crowds who wildly cheer the most daring, suggestive, and indecent exhibitions of human depravity that the officials will permit.

“But worst of all, in many instances, preachers and churches increase and encourage the frenzy, and would make the church a place of entertainment instead of a place of religious instruction, soul rest, and prayer; instead of a place of gospel truth and spiritual power, combating the fearful influences of worldliness, pleasure seeking, and sin. If the young people of this generation are to become fathers and mothers, build homes, rear families, and inculcate into their offspring high moral ideals and the practical lessons of industry, economy, and the spirit of self-sacrifice, patriotism, and Bible Christianity, it is high time that the rising generation become a bit more sensible and serious. They must be impressed that there are some things in the world higher than mere fun; there is something better to seek than pastime and excitement; there is useful knowledge to be acquired, work to be done, a living to be made, a home life to be cultivated, and intelligent, well-poised, cheerful character, capable of serious reflection and sober action, to be developed.

“It is high time the pulpit, the religious press, and that part of the secular press that is capable of serious thinking, protest against the craze after entertainment and fun that is sweeping the rising generation into the rapids of reckless and thoughtless living.”