The Aim of Rational Recreation by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

The Aim of Rational Recreation

By F. M. W.

Christian Recreation — No. 2

WHAT place should recreation fill in the life-work? How is it related to labor? With many in these days amusement has come to be the aim of life's existence. The apostle tells us that in the closing days of earth's history many who make a profession of Christ would prove lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They would possess a form of godliness but by their careless lives deny the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

The Aim of Rational Recreation

What a great change has come into the practise of the Christian church with respect to this question! We have before us a little book (now out of print) entitled "Popular Amusements," written by J. T. Crane, D. D., a Methodist clergyman, in the year 1869. This was in the period when the Methodist Church still retained much of its original simplicity; when its prohibition against its members' engaging in the popular pleasures of the world was not considered so largely as it is today a dead form. While we cannot agree with all that Dr. Crane expresses in this volume, we are indebted to him for the excellent quotations not otherwise credited which this article contains. Speaking of the aim and object of recreation, he says:—

The true idea of rational recreation is expressed in the very name. The aim is to renew, restore, create again. It is to lay aside the more serious avocations of life for a brief space, that we may resume them with new vigor. It is to make a little truce with toil and care, that we may return to the battle with stouter hearts and keener weapons. We rest, that we may be better prepared for work. Rational recreation never loses sight of duty. It teaches us to seek, now and then, a little leisure, that we may be able to labor the harder and the longer; to be gay and merry, only that we may be the more susceptible, in its time, of all solemn, holy emotion. Recreation, in the true sense of the term, is not only free from evil, but it is full of good intents, aiming, above all, to aid us in the great concerns which look beyond the horizon of the present life. We shake off care, but not conscience. We do not lay aside the service of God and take a day to ourselves, but strive to win the benediction pronounced upon "the man that feareth alway."

A clear distinction should be made between recreation and amusement. The following quotation from "Education," page 207, expresses the difference:—

There is a distinction between recreation and amusement. Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body, and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life. Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure, and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are required for useful

work, and thus proves a hindrance to life's true success.

Underlying Principles

In settling every question we should consider the principles which underlie it. What principles should govern the selection of recreative enjoyment? The following we believe are worthy of careful consideration in the study of this question.

1. Our recreations should be innocent in themselves. It is not essential that we consider the question of recreation in its bearing on health alone. If it is health-giving, that of course is in its favor so far, but there may be other considerations which would lead to its rejection. If there is contained in it any element of wrong, on this ground it should be discarded.

If it involves any transgression of divine law; if it leads us to disregard the welfare of our fellow; if the pleasure is purchased by pain wantonly inflicted upon man, or beast, or bird, or insect; if it tends to render us frivolous or reckless, or in any way leaves us farther from God and heaven, less conscientious, less devotional, less tender in heart, less active and earnest in all good works, we must condemn it, no matter how fascinating it may be, no matter what may be the members or the social position of those who favor it. Of all the poor excuses for sin, one of the poorest and meanest is the plea that we trampled on the law of God and defied his justice for the sake of amusement.

2. Our recreation should be of a character that will not unfit us for religious duty, nor lead to a disinclination to engage in spiritual exercises. That which leads us to neglect the services of God's house; which takes away our interest in the study of his Word; which gives us disinclination to engage in secret prayer; which leads us to feel less interest for the cause of Christ and for the salvation of our fellow men,—any amusement or recreation which has this influence in our lives should be avoided. We cannot afford to build up our physical powers at the expense of our souls' interests.

3. Our recreations should be of a character that will not lessen our Christian influence. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." The world watches us closely whether at work or play. Particularly do unbelievers watch the children of God when they are "off duty," when, unhampered by business hours or office regulations, they are left free to act out their own natural feelings. If the form of recreation chosen is brought into the life as a mere pastime; as a means to while away time, but without purpose or definite object; if the spirit brought to the hour is the wild, hilarious, reckless spirit possessed by those in the world, the unbeliever looks on and sees but little difference between the life of the professed Christian and his own. Christian dignity should be maintained on every occasion, and in his recreation as well as in his hours of labor, the disciple of Christ should let all men see that he possesses high and holy ideals to which he is endeavoring to attain in every relationship of life.

4. Our recreation should be health-giving and refreshing. The great contests of physical endurance carried on in the world have wrecked health and bequeathed lives of wretchedness to many participating in them. The undue excitement attending the reading of novels, going to theaters, etc., has brought wreck and ruin to many nervous natures. The spirit of moderation, of sound judgment, should govern in the pursuit of recreative enjoyment the same as in daily labor. Recreation is the handmaid of labor, and when put to its proper use, promotes rather than retards the accomplishment of life's tasks. If the recreation of today robs us of energy for life's work tomorrow, we are losers rather than the gainers.

5. Our recreations should never lead to the neglect of present duty. When the excitement of the evening's entertainment robs us of sleep; when the thoughts of the time spent in recreation intrude themselves into the working hours of the morrow, robbing us of the clearness of thought and the energy of activity which should be devoted to honest labor; when the anticipations of an outing on the morrow unfits for the sober duties of today, we may conclude that our recreative enjoyments are exerting a wrong influence on our lives, and either we should drop them altogether, or relate ourselves to them in an entirely different spirit. The true conception of duty in relation to the pleasant things of life, will not lead us in the home to throw upon the wife extra burdens in order that we may find in the association of friends the privileges denied her. It will not lead us to pass over the consideration due to father and mother in order that at their expense we may have a pleasant hour. Christian recreation regards the interests and pleasures of others above our own.

6. Our recreation should not be too expensive in time, energy, or money. Life is short at best, too short for the accomplishment of the great and noble purposes which Heaven places before us. We have a work to do for God and for our fellows. Around us the world is perishing. At every turn we find suffering appealing for sympathy and assistance. Truly we cannot afford to spend time or energy or money needlessly. Remembering the true object of recreation we will not do this. We will take time to rest only that we may work the harder. We will spend means for personal uses only that we may be placed in better condition physically, mentally, spiritually, to secure more means for the support of the cause of God in the earth, and for carrying forward our activities in connection therewith.

7. Our recreations should be under wise management and proper environment. This is particularly necessary where a company is brought together. A machine if left to run itself will run wild. Even a good cause without proper direction comes to an evil end. This emphasizes the necessity of bringing to the question of recreation and social relationships the maturity of age. The youth should seek counsel from those who are older grown, and who have become wiser with the experience of years in questions of this character. Children should not be left on the street or at school to choose their own games. Parents and teachers have a duty that they cannot evade in interesting themselves in the employment of every hour on the part of those committed to their care. Particular regard should also be had to environment. Recreations that may be harmless of themselves at home and under proper supervision, may become a great channel for evil under different environment.

There is a difference only in degree and spirit and environment between innocent, harmless enjoyment and sinful fun and frolic. In one, reason bears sway. The period of relaxation is subordinated to life's great purposes, and the securing of rest is used only as a means to the better accomplishment of that purpose. The time and talents, the powers of mind and body, are recognized as belonging to God, to be used alone for his glory. In the other the pleasure becomes the end sought rather than a means to an end. Its enjoyment becomes the purpose of life rather than an aid to the accomplishment of that purpose. Reason is subordinated to caprice. God is forgotten, and the spirit that rules in the children of men becomes the controlling influence in the life.

With the natural tendency of human nature to excess, it is comparatively easy to merge the innocent amusement among the few and in the seclusion of the home or school life into the more exciting exhibition of the public game. And it will be difficult for the immature judgment of many to recognize the distinction between innocent enjoyment at home and the games played under the stress and excitement incident to the great popular amusements. This tendency should be recognized and continually guarded.