The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-22
The Puritan Theory of Amusc,
mentS.
PROF. AUSTIN PHELPS.

The question of amusements was to
the Puritans representative question,
IN which was involved the whole spirit
of Christian living. They brought to its
discussion the whole force of their in
tense religious nature. In their very
make they were intense men. They
were anthracite on fire. Without fame.
or crackle, or smoke, theirs was solid
heat, burning Silly day and night. Such
intensity of moral being they brought to
all questions of practical life.
Such men felt no need of amusements.
How could they? They were not born,
as some men appear to be, at hap-hazard,
without an aim in living, and with no
power to create one. Their happiness
did not depend on cat's-cradle and push
pin. They did not know the meaning of
the word "ennui." They came into this
world as apostles. They came because
they were sent. The echo of the voice
which created them always sounded in
their ears, and heralded their steps.
Theirs was a great mission. Their souls
were straitened till it was accomplished.
When invited, urged, bribed, caioled,
commanded, threatened, brow beaten, to
induce them to dance around Maypole
on the village green, they calmly said
Wist We not that L must be about my
Fathers business?"
That which seemed to weaker natures
harmless or needful recreation seemed
to them frivolity. When charged with
excessive precision, said one of them for
answer, &" have precise God to deal
with" They saw no record that Christ
danced around poles, or amused himself
with a jack-of-spades, or laughed at
clowns and harlequins, or figured at
masquerade balls. AS they read his life
they saw him seeking relief from life's
burdens in the companionship of broth
ers and sisters, in the homes of Bethany,
In the society of angels, in communion
with God. They saw that to him mid
night prayer took the place of midnight
revels. They honestly tried to live as
Christ lived. Why should they not?
Right or wrong, they believed this to
be the true theory of life; and, what is
more, they in good measure lived it.
They enjoyed it. AS a class they were
the happiest of mortals. If ever in this
world men enjoyed life, they did, when
ever tyranny would let them alone.
And, when it would not they enter
tanned each other with songs in prisons,
and broke out with doxologies at the
stake.
1t may be well enough to revise their
theory of amusements for later times
and new generations The constitutions
of States rarely last century without
change; still less should a popular theory
OF recreations. We may wisely let up
somewhat of Puritan pressure upon the
modern conscience. We may bid God
speed to anybody who thinks he can in.-
prove in this respect the usages of
Christian people. By all means, let us
give him hearing. Specially may we
extend the law of Christian liberty in
this thing. We may trustfully leave it
to every mans conscience to say what
recreations, in themselves innocent las
almost all recreations are), will be help
to him in godly living.
But, after all, who can fail to see that
the spirit of the Puritans on this subject
was the Christian spirit? Who can help
seeing that improvement, if it comes,
must come from the same spirit? This
was the spirit of a living conscience. It
was the spirit of humble inquiry; it
sought wisdom from God 1t was the
conservative spirit; it leaned to the safe
side OF moral questions. It was the pre-.
found spirit; it sought happiness in du-
ties rather than in rights.
1t is very easy to fling at the Puritans
IN this matter, but it is very weak
Every dog must have his bay at the
moon, but healthy men sleep through it.
So disparagement of the Puritans does
not disturb sound thinkers. The world
has outlived the wit of it. The libel of
the " Blue Laws" has ceased to be anus
ing. If we could stay long enough to
answer such disparagements, our answer
would be to point to the men whom the
Puritans' theories of life created. Not
till the improved theories give us better
women, can we wisely believe that they
are improvements Not till children
trained under such improvements turn
to be more Christ-like men and women,
more prayerful, more self-denying, more
useful, happier, too, in the profound
sense of spiritual Joy, can we safely adj
NIT that their fathers are wiser than our
fathers. For that proof the world must
wait q while,--must wait long enough
for us to do some things which the world
is In more pressing need of than Of an
increase Of amusements and of idle time.