The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-05-06

Industry and 8ecreatfon.
Here, in New England, though the
rigid maxims of Puritanism have, az re-
CARDS religion, lapsed into the opposite
extreme, they retain their hold 10 great
degree on the public mind, as regards
labor and amusement. We do not dis
criminate sufficiently between recreation
and idleness. The three forms of indus
try which alone we recognise are the
making of money, the conservative du-
ties of the household, and the use of
book or pen. No matter how lazy the
body moves, how utterly the affections are
kept in abeyance, either of these pursuits
exempt man or woman from the sus-
picion of idlencss. A man, with 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 waste?"
A youth of superior powers and iber-
al education may become book-keeper
or an accountant, and never bring into
use more than schoolboy's intelligence
yet he is called diligent, and no one re-
fleets of the mass of capacity which he
has made latent, and suffered to corrode
unused. One may frit,er away all the
igenial elements of his nature in super
hous 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 val
liable and exemplary member of the
community. SIN all labor there ID
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
distracted from toll are accounted -
idle time. But the truest industry is
that, whether work or play, which call
the powers into vigorous exercise.
The sport, which gives strength TO the
frame and veins the flesh with brawney
sinews-the conversation, which brings
mind into conflict with the mind, calls
forth quick thought and sharpens ready
wit-the nlirth and fun which gives free
play to the kindly affections and the
genial sympathies-all these infinitely
better deserve the name of industry,
than the idelving and digging in the
earth-mine Of gain, which cramps and
enfeebles the holy, emasculatcs the mind,
and makes the heart lean and bony.
The strength and fervor gained by re-
taxation becomes so much permently in
vested capital-capital which viii be
availing while life lasts, which will ward
off infrmity and postpone old age, and
the better part of which will survive the
body and form part of the souls inher-
itage. IF being is of more consequence
than having, then seasonable recreation
is worth immeasurably more than exces-
sive and untimely toll.
This view may suggest against the ra-
tional and Christian law and limit for
amusement. We have no right to be
id,e-to kill time--to seek recreation
simply as the alternative Of sleep.
Amusement ceases to be lawful and sal
utary when it ceases to be industry
when neither body mind nor character
is brought into health and vigorous sc-
ton. But whatever relation increases
the quantity or enriches the staple OF
our physical, mental or moral life, must
needs be good for us, and good SO long
as it discharges this Office for us. This
is matter in which, within the limits of
Christian morality, every one must be
&C law unto himself;" nor can we too
earnestly deprecate muturity carping
and censorious spirit. Different consti-
tutions need and bear, and are prohted
by, very different kinds and measures OF
In general he who works the hardest,
must play the hardest. The slow and
plodding heardly need amusement, while
those Of the opposite temperament crave
it as their lamps crave oil, and msno.s
il the life-tido soon becomes chilled
Let us, then, be thankful that We have
in this behalf, to form q decisive opinion
for ourselves alone and for ourselves,
we can hardly in suy case judge smiss,
Il we take with As Solomon's exhorta-
ton. "Know thou that for al those
things God viii bring thee into judge
n F.