The Contagion of Sin by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1912

The Contagion of Sin

By Editor

THE article in this number from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White entitled "Dangerous Amusements for the Youth" is worthy of a careful reading. The danger existing in the easy-going, pleasure-loving social life of the world to-day, and in some of the world's popular sports, is not found in the mere act of batting a baseball or kicking a football or mingling with our friends at a social gathering. The danger is in imbibing the spirit that goes with such gatherings. That spirit is contagious. It fills the hearts and minds of the world around us. Men become frenzied over the outcome of some game. We can not mingle in this atmosphere without imbibing the spirit. One may pride himself, as does the moderate drinker, on self-control. He may believe that he will never exceed the bounds of what he considers reason and propriety; but unconsciously his ideals are lowered, the prescribed boundaries enlarged, and little by little he comes under the power of evil over which he considered himself the master; and other weaker brothers, with less power of resistance, take advantage of his example, giving wide license to the spirit of the age which enters into their hearts.

We can not afford to temporize with evil in any form. We can not afford for one moment to compromise the right; to let down our dignity as Christians; to go where we can not ask Christ to go with us; or to do that which would grieve the Holy Spirit. For such social gatherings amid the scenes of nature as Christ contemplated with his disciples when he said, "Come ye yourselves apart . . . and rest awhile," there can be no condemnation. It is right and proper that the children of God should come together to commune with their Creator, to mingle with the scenes of nature, and for prayer and singing and Bible study and other helpful exercises which will draw them to their Saviour; but even these need to be guarded that they do not degenerate to worldly standards, and that the dignity of Christian manhood and womanhood be ever maintained.

To know how to be kind and loving, pleasant and cheerful, glad and joyous, helpful and courageous, without descending to levity and foolishness; at the same time to be thoughtful and serious, earnest and faithful, devoted and conscientious, without being morose and critical and pessimistic,—to know all this, and to be what Christ was among men, manifesting in every place and on every occasion to which his Spirit shall lead us, his helpful ministry and loving fellowship, his purity and uprightness, giving to our fellows an example of sobriety free from cant, and a helpfulness apart from sentimentality,—this is Christianity, the ideal standard of holy living, the attainment of which should constitute the devoted purpose of every disciple of the Master.