p. 155 | Popular Amusements by Sol.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 3, 1870

Popular Amusements.

By Sol.

RECREATION is certainly proper, and often a duty. But the radical idea in this is the regaining of energies wasted by toil. When the purpose is to secure this result, there is generally but little danger of harm.

It is also true that diversions or amusements are not necessarily evil. This depends on their character, their tendencies, and their associations. God meant that children should engage in sports, and that which increases the flow of kindly, genial feelings, makes even old age interesting, and more perfect. It is not the purpose of Christianity to lessen geniality, or to make the world morose. The indiscriminate denunciation of everything which may be called a pastime certainly indicates ignorance of human nature, and is productive of harm.

But we fear there is an alarming demoralization of the churches on this subject. Nearly every form of diversion is indulged in, whatever may be its association or influence. Spirituality is thus eaten out, religious impulses are suppressed, the power of the church is weakened, and by its conformity to the world the line of demarkation is destroyed; and instead of its possessing an intense spirit of aggression, bearing down upon the kingdom of Satan, routing the forces of evil, its life is sickly, so as to require constant nursing, to prevent actual extinction.

We ask the Christian people of this age if they cannot show to the world that there is joy enough in the religion of Christ to lift them above such sources of pleasure. Has the divine Comforter lost his power to impart true enjoyment to the soul?

The question is often asked: “What shall be done for the entertainment of our children?” This should be merged in the broader question: “What shall be the culture of the household?” If parents would be companions for their children, bringing sunshine into their homes, by their own cheering, genial presence, regulating and animating the spirit of the household, the true conditions would be supplied for that culture which both entertains and ennobles. Nothing can be a substitute for this. No interdiction of sinful amusements, nor approval of amusements regarded as harmless, will meet the wants of the home circle. Fathers must take time from their business, and mothers from the gayety and dissipation of social life, to make homes attractive through the influence of their own loving and ennobling presence. This work cannot be done at arm’s length through any prescribed formula. Let the religion of the household be ardent and at the same time attractive, adapted to the buoyancy of childhood, as well as the sedateness of age.

In connection with wholesome restraints, parents must study to pleasantly lead their children in paths which are safe.—Sol.