Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-08-14
INDUSTRY AND RECREATION.

regards religion, lapsed into the oppo-
site extreme, they retain their hold 10
great degree on the public mind, as re.
CARDS labor and amusement. We do
not discriminate sufficiently between
recreation and idIeness. The three
forms of industry which alone we re-
cognize are the making of money, the
conservative duties of the household,
and the use of book or pen. No mat.
ter how lazily the body moves, how
torpid the mental faculties remain, how
utterly the affections are kept in
abeyance, either of these pursuits ex.
empts man or woman from the sus.
picion Of idleness. A man, with a
frame of Hercules, may measure tape
behind a counter year in and year out,
and ninety.nine hundredths of his
strength may be left unemployed; yet
few cry, to what purpose is this wasle?'
a youth of superior powers and liberal
education may become a book. keeper
OF an accountant, and never bring into
use more than a schoolboy's intelligence
yet he is called diligent, and no one re-
fleets on the mass of capacity which
he has made latent, and suffers 20 cor.
rode unused. One may fritter away
all the genial elements of his nature in
superluous toll. yet if he only succeeds
in transmitting into dollars the native
wealth of affection and susceptibility
that God has given him, he is deemed
a valuable and exemplary member of
the community. "In all labor there is
profit" might be assumed as the motto
Of the New England coat of arms.
Meanwhile, amusement is regarded
as fit only for children and degrading
TO persons of adult years; and the
hours abstracted from toll are accoun.
ted as idle time. But the truest indus.
try is that, whether work or play
which calls the powers into vigorous
exercise. The sport which gives
strength to the frame and veins the flesh
with brawny sinews-the conversation
which brings mind into conflict with
mind, calls forth quick thought and
sharpens ready wit--the mirlh and
fun which give free play to the kindly
affections and the genial sympathiel
AL these infinitely better deserve the
name of industry, than The delving ano
digging in the earth. mine of gain
which cramps and enfeebles the body
emasculates the mind, and makes the
heart lean and bony. The strength
end feTvor gained by relaxalons be
come SO much permanently invested
capital--capital which will bo avaiIins
while life lasts, which will ward off in
trinity and postpone old age, and III,
better part of which will survive th'
body and form part of the souls eter
nal heritage If being is of more con
sequence than having, then seasonabl
recreation is worth iinmeasurably NOR
than excessive ard unlimely toll.
This view may suggest the rationt
and Christian law and limit for amuse
ment. We have no right TO be idle
to kill time--to seek recreation simpl
as the alternative of sleep. Amuss
mspt ceases TO be lawful and salutar,
when it ceases TO be induslry--whe
neither body, mind or character
brought into healthy and vigorous az
ton. But whatever relation or pastim
increases the quantity or enriches th
staple of our physical, mental or NOR
life, must needs be good for as, an
good so long as it can discharge III
Office for US. This is matter i
which, within the limits of Christia
morality, every one must be "la
y unto HIMSELF" nor can we too earnes
!, ly depreca,e a mutually carping ar
y censorious spirit. Different consii
tions need and bear, and are profit,
n by, very different kinds and measur
g Of amusement In general he wi
q works the hardest, must play the har
% est. The slow and ploddng hard
u need amusement, while those of Il
e opposite temperament crave it as the
J. lamps crave oil, and without il The iii
'e tide soon becomes ,hinned and chile
Let US, then, be thankful that we ha
ID in this behalf. to form a decisive OPT
n ion for themselves alone; and (
= ourselves, we can hardly in any ca