p. 35 | BOOKS OF AMUSEMENT by Dr. Arnold

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1869

BOOKS OF AMUSEMENT.

By Dr. Arnold

In tracing some of the causes of that lightness and frivolity of character, and that disinclination for the exercise of the reflective powers, so lamentably common in the present day, one cause I find which is certainly capable of producing such a result. This cause consists in the number, and character, and cheapness, and peculiar mode of publication of the works of amusement of the present day. In all these respects the change is great, and extremely recent.

The works of amusement published only a few years since were comparatively few in number; they were less exciting, and therefore less attractive; they were dearer, and therefore less accessible; and not being published periodically, they did not occupy the mind for so long a time, nor keep alive so constant an expectation; nor, by thus dwelling upon the mind, and distilling themselves into it, as it were drop by drop, did they possess it so largely, coloring even, in many instances, its very language, and affording frequent matter for consideration. The evil of all these circumstances is actually enormous. The mass of human minds, and much more of the minds of young persons, have no great appetite for intellectual exercise; but they have some, which, by careful treatment, may be strengthened and increased. But here, to this weak and delicate appetite, is presented an abundance of the most stimulating and least nourishing food. It snatches it greedily, and is not only satisfied, but actually conceives a distaste for anything more simple and more wholesome. That curiosity, which is wisely given us to lead us on to knowledge, finds its full gratification in the details of an exciting and protracted story; and then lies down, as it were gorged, and goes to sleep. Other faculties claim their turn and have it. We know that in youth the healthy body and lively spirits require exercise; and in this they may and ought to be indulged; but the time and interest which remain over, when the body has had its enjoyment, and the mind desires its share, have been already wasted and exhausted upon things utterly unprofitable; so that the mind goes to its work hurriedly and languidly, and feels it to be no more than a burden.

The mere lessons may be learned from a sense of duty; but that freshness of power which, in young persons of ability, would fasten eagerly upon some one portion or other of the wide field of knowledge, and then expatiate, drinking in health and strength to the mind, as surely as the natural exercise of the body gives to it bodily vigor—that is tired prematurely, perverted and corrupted; and all the knowledge which else it might so covet, it now seems a wearying effort to attain. That an unnatural and constant excitement of the mind is most injurious, there is no doubt; that excitement involves a consequent weakness is a law of our nature than which none is surer; that the debility of mind thus produced is, and must be, adverse to quiet study and thought—to that reflection which alone is wisdom, is also clear in itself, and proved too largely by experience, and that, without reflection, there can be no spiritual understanding; and therefore childishness and unthoughtfulness cannot be light evils. Whatever is to us a hindrance in the way of our intellectual, moral, and spiritual improvement, that is in our case a positive sin.—Dr. Arnold.