Test of Innocent Enjoyment.
By Dr. H. Moore
If any of our pleasures are such that the thoughts of our holy Brother in heaven cannot mingle with them, we may be sure they are wrong. If they were guiltless, His presence would only deepen and brighten them. If they are foolish, or gross or hurtful, or cruel; they will cower beneath His pure eyes. Perhaps there is no better test of their innocence than this: Would I like to see Jesus here and now? Only we must not imagine that he will be displeased to find us in any other than a solemn mood. He is not only our Prophet, Priest and King—He is our Brother. When did the sudden entrance of our elder brother ever chill our mirth? Only when it was contemptible, so that we knew it would shock his purer taste, or wound his nobler heart. Our Divine Friend will rejoice in our joy just so long as it is untainted; but if it seems incongruous to ask Him to go with us to any place of amusement, we may be assured it is no place for us. If there is anything in our merriment which would offend His ear, then it is not fit for us. Let him be blended with all our thoughts—let Him be the confidant of all our feelings—let us rely upon his hearty sympathy in every phase of experience.—Dr. H. Moore.