The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-28
Snnday-School Lessons.
The Christian at Play.

THE Christian at work is the outward
expression, In Its thousand forms of as
tivity, Christian life and energy, of the
apostolic commandment: "Be ye deere
OF the Word and not hearers only" But
there is another phase of the Christian
scarcely less important, and out of the
moods OF which he emerges either re-
freshed and strengthened or with more or
less faint and damage. The grand object
of the Christians life is woodwork for
Christ in all its multitudinous forms, and
work for humanity In its unnumbered OPP
portunities. But there are times when he
IL also Christian at play. Even the
Christian must at times uDbend. The
bow that is kept continually at its utmost
tension soon loses entirely its elasticity.
q Ali work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy" So the Christian kept contin-
ually on the strain loses much of the nat
ural sunshine of his nature which is cal
culated to attract and win, and grows in
proportion repellently stern and rigorous.
We are glad, therefore, to see that this
whole subject of Christian amusement is
claiming much of public attention, for it
is one Of no small importance, whether
considered in its bearings Upon the Church
collectively or in its effects upon the spir-
itual life of the individual Christian.
All ADJUSTMENTS may be classified under
three distinct heads:
l. Those purely amusing while inno-
| cent. GUS
III. Those amusing and instructive.
| III. Those amusing and vicious.
In the first class may be placed all out
door recreations which are free from tie
vice OF betting; In the second popular
and scientific lectures and the better class
Of concerts; in the third, all amusements
of whatever kind which draw together the
vicious, and are conducive to licentious-
ness, drinking ana gambling. The first
two classes are open TO the Christian, but
we contend that he is absolutely shut out
from the latter. His very presence at
them, however innocent on his part, is an
Endorsement of them The solemn CON-
mand of God Himself in reference to all
such is, "Come out from among them,
and be We separate, and touch not the un-
clean thing" In aword, NO amusements
are permissible to the Christian which are
conducted by, or in the interest Of, per-
sons of immoral character, or the sur
roundings of which are conducive to vice.
With this broad plank laid down the sub.
ject must be relegated t. the individual
conscience, with this reminder, that a
Christian in whose heart that kingdom is
established, which is righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" will
feel no craving for such delights, but will
| live above them, drawing his purest joys
and noblest satisfactions, not from earth
| ly, but from heavenly sources. We are
not arguing against the Christian at play
He must have his seasons of relief and
recreation, and these, when properly en-
/ joyed, brace him up afresh for his work
But we do denounce most strenuously those
forms of indulgence which rob him OF
spiritual power, dim the brightness of his
example and lead him to squander on
worse than useless pleasures what ought
to be consecrated to the cause of Christ
There is meaning in those words, q II
any love the world, or the things Of the
world, the love of the Father is not in
him. !" If any man will be my disci.
ple," says Christ, let him take up his
cross, and deny himself, and follow Me-
DR.. Taylor, in Christian at Work.