“Flames of Fun and Frolic.”
By A. O. Tait
Such is the heading of a large poster advertising the Fourth of July celebration at Centralia, Illinois. In the programme of sports and games are advertised, two horse races and a mule race, four foot races, one of which was to be run by colored boys on their hands and feet; and a furniture set was to be given to the couple who would come on the speaker’s stand and get married; a base ball match and a mock battle between Indians and cow-boys; which latter was to represent sensational scenes of the wild West. At the bottom of the poster it said, “For further particulars, see small bills,” “Rev.” — was advertised to deliver the oration. We had always been taught that the Fourth of July was celebrated to keep alive the memory of the Declaration of Independence. But how such a programme as the above could inspire patriotism in the rising generation, and cause their hearts to swell with emotions kindred to those that were in the hearts of the founders of our Government, we are unable to tell. How can there be any fitting similarity between horse and mule racing, base ball matches, “fun and frolic,” and the seriously important work of signing the Declaration of Independence? Instead of showing their patriotism by such performances, our citizens show more plainly that they have lost much of the true patriotic spirit, and are rapidly degrading our memorial of independence into a day of ridiculous revelry. But the most significant point is, that a man who prefixes “Rev.” to his name will allow himself to be advertised as orator in the midst of a programme of such “fun and frolic.” From the conversation I have had with those who were on the grounds, I learn that church members, worldlings, and all were indiscriminately represented as the eager spectators of the exciting scenes. In the first horse race one of the horses flew the track, dashed into the crowd, and severely injured several persons. As soon as these wounded were hastily cared for, another race was run, and at the same place where the other accident happened another horse ran from the track into the crowd, this time killing a man almost instantly and also badly crippling a number of others. After the dead and wounded were carried out of the way, they were all ready for the third race, when the president of the day stopped them and would not allow them to run any more. How can those who profess to be followers of Christ, engage in such scenes? Paul teaches us in 2 Tim. 3: 1-5, that, in the last days, men “having a form of godliness” will be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” The great lines of prophecy all tell us that we are in the last days. And here, sure enough, we find that Paul’s prediction is being literally fulfilled. For the above is only a sample of the manner in which “Christians” are being lost sight of in the world, as they are both together wildly seeking after pleasure. May the Lord help us to escape from the whirlpool of “fun and frolic,” into which Satan is trying, in these last days, to drag not only the world, but also the professed church.