p. 13 | The Leisure of the Young by G. H. Heald

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 25, 1913

The Leisure of the Young

By G. H. Heald

G. H. HEALD, M. D. (Editor Life and Health)

THERE is perhaps no more potent determining factor in character building than one's method of occupying his leisure hours. There should be in the daily program of every one some time for recreation, and this recreation period can and should be so occupied that it will the better fit one for the more serious affairs of life. It should, indeed, be a re-creation. Any diversion that does not make one more efficient in his regular occupations is not in a true sense recreation.

Many young people look for diversion rather than recreation,—something to “pass the time,” seemingly having more time on their hands than they know what to do with.

Recently the Y. M. C. A. leaders of Washington, D. C., have been making efforts to reach the youth of the city who seem to have no good way to spend their hours of leisure. The evening Star, commending this effort, says in its issue of October 4:— “Any one who passes along the main thoroughfares of Washington in the evening

must realize the importance of this undertaking. Hundreds of well-dressed young men, doubtless employed during the day, roam about the streets after dark, lounge upon corners, and drift into a habit of purposeless if not absolutely vicious evening existence. To many of them this is the best time of the day, because they are free from all restraint. To some of them it is the only means of entertainment, lacking diversion at home, or in some cases lacking real homes. They grow to like the bright lights and the constant activity of the streets, to go to the cheap theaters, where likely as not they are brought under harmful influence. Not a large percentage of them are intemperate, but they are within the range of demoralizing conditions that, if not actually injurious, are certainly not elevating.’”

The Star is not a religious paper, and it certainly cannot be accused of any extreme notions regarding conduct; yet it sees in this aimlessness of the young a serious menace. The article continues:— “They might far better be studying and improving themselves mentally, or working in a gymnasium and improving themselves physically, than standing about the street corners engaged in vapid conversations, ogling young girls who should be at home, and diverting themselves in less harmful ways. In most of these cases there is a lack of ambition. These boys and young men seem content to make just enough money to keep themselves in board and lodging and buy smart clothes. Some of them look forward to marriage and domestic life. But as a rule, they have few thoughts for the future.”

In a sense, communities have a duty to the young, to see that they have profitable occupation or recreation for their leisure hours. But this does not relieve the young person of the duty he owes to himself, to his family, to society, and to God, to make the best of himself; and certainly to pass the time in ways that do not make for self-improvement is to miss life's greatest opportunity.

“There is a tide in the affairs of men that, taken at its flood, leads on to fortune.” This tide is in the occupations and the companions the young person chooses for his leisure hours. By his choice he says definitely, “I shall work to the top;” or else he virtually says, “What's the use? I might as well take it easy and drift!”

As you look around you and see the failures, the ne'er-do-wells, the persons against whom fate seems to have had a grudge, just note that they, every one of them, belong to the class who never had any leisure, having been in a constant grind which permitted of no self-improvement, or, more probably, if they had leisure they let the precious time pass in unprofitable employment.

There is just one way to achieve success, whether that success is in a commercial line or in the line of self-improvement or of helping one's community to a higher life. One must first have a purpose, an ambition, something to work for; and, second, he must utilize his spare time, and some time, perhaps, that he cannot well spare, in the accomplishment of his purpose; and he must keep persistently at it. No one ever drifted into success. The person who has to do something to pass the time, who does not know what to do with his time but to spend it on some sort of diversion, even though that diversion be in itself comparatively innocent, is on the sure road to failure.