Christian Recreation by Ellen G. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1885

Christian Recreation.

By Ellen G. White

It was my privilege to attend the annual reunion and New Year's exercises of the Oakland Sabbath-school this year, and I can truly say that it was a most interesting and profitable occasion, the remembrance of which will long live in my mind. The mottoes which adorned the walls of the church, the songs of the children, the general review of the lessons, in sixty-six parts, extending from creation to the new earth state, the erection of a cross containing the graces enumerated by the apostle Peter, the responsive exercise on the beatitudes, between the members of the third and fifth divisions,—in fact all the exercises showed that the minds of the children were being directed to the Giver of all their blessings and not to their own selfish interests.

Custom controls even the professed Christian world, and these holiday occasions are usually made scenes of hilarity and self-pleasing. But the lessons given youth and children should be such as will present their heavenly Father in a correct light, and continually impress their minds with the claims that he has upon them. Constant effort is required to keep their minds free from the contaminating influences of worldly associations and practices. By a careful selection of their holiday amusements, we may wheel these occasions in as helps to make impressions which will be as enduring as eternity. The world's customs and fashions will take our children out of our hands unless we seek constantly to surround them with a pure, a heavenly atmosphere.

One of the most interesting exercises of the evening was the bringing in of the sheaves by twenty-four girls and boys. To these sheaves were attached the offerings of each class in the senior division and of each of the three primary divisions. The children were thus taught to consider it a privilege to bring to the Master the very first fruits of the new year, and the small rivulets were turned, not to self-pleasing, but into the Lord's treasury.

As the children deposited their sheaves, each repeated a verse expressing the desire of the givers, that the offering would be the means of accomplishing great good. Such works will stand the test of the trial by fire so soon to be realized. It is well represented by laying upon the foundation, gold, silver, and precious stones. This is the very best kind of recreation, and the bright, happy faces of the children showed that there was no discontent, no jealousy or ill feeling on the part of any. The custom of the world of bestowing gifts upon one another and inventing programmes simply to amuse the children may well be represented by laying upon the foundation, wood, hay, and stubble, which will be consumed by the fires of the day of God.

Everything connected with the reunion showed that much time and painstaking had been bestowed upon it. And now the question arises, Does it pay? We answer, Yes, indeed. The result of the efforts made to turn these occasions to God's glory, will not be wholly known until the day of final accounts. The presence of Jesus was invited both by song and by works. And he alone it is, who can make this the happiest year of our lives. E. G. WHITE.