Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-25
TRINITY M E. CHURCH.

ssTests of AmusemeRts''-Serm by
 Rev. Dr. J. o. Peck.
 At Trinity M E. church last evening Rev. Dr. Peck, the pastor, preached very inter- esting discourse to large congregation, his subject being ''Tests of amusements." The basis of the discourse was from 1st Corinthi- ans, 10th chapter, 31st verse, Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" The dis course was in substance as follows:
 The Bible, the speaker said, enjoined upon the Christian a whole-hearted, d,uncompromis- ing. single-hearted fidelity to God and his laws No one could moro warmly approve of innocent, healthful recreation and amuse- ment than the pastor. The Christian is not excused from taking innocent recreation There are hundreds of means of recreation that are harmless morally and beneficial phy- sic ally and mentally. The speaker laid down as a rule for Christians in this matter. first to decide is this or that amusement recreation. That word recreation is touchstone of test Recreation is simply recreation. It is some thing that re- creates health, vigor and ner- vous force and leaves us stronger in body and clearer in mind and better fitted for the arduous duties of life. Then there are other amusements that by reason of late hours, nerve exhaustion, intense excitement pre-
 
 and excited, the reactions are injurious. Such amusements the Christian must avoid. The Christian has no right to break the laws of health. Does it glorify God to iniure or break down ones health? To invalidate the forces God has given us to glorify him with? Another test was the expense. Extravaganza or expending money beyond ones means for amusement is wrong. Are there no poor within your gatesl A waste of money for amusement is wicked and selfish in endeavor- ing to do as richer 9s ..RPesp people do; many young men and men at thirty-five poor! Because for five or ten or fifteen years they have spent every dollar above the necessary expenses of life, at saloons, or billiards, or theatres, or dancing, or at that latest nuisance and snare-the rink. The managers of these institutions are filling their pockets by emptying the young mems pockets. Night after night young men and women are lured into these whirlpools where their purses are drained, but that is the least of tbese nuisances. Thousands of young people of both sexes have been ruined in morals and promising lives have been cut short in disgrace. How many young ladies call for expenses in dress and toilet as prep arations for certain fashionable amusements not demanded in the legitimate needs of life; expenses which weigh heavily on their own or their fathers income. And I never saw one of them that made better or truer woman by reason of these amusements, and I have seen hundreds made less noble women by the artificial associa- tions, and some utterly ruined.
 Another test is simple. Would these amusements be proper for your pastors Re member that there is not one code of Chris tian conduct for pastors and another code for the laity. There is but one code for all, Christians and ministers alike. What is right for one is right for all. What is wrong for one is wrong for all. Hence if the members of any church may indulge in certain things, so may the pastor. Would you like pastor who frequented billiard saloonsa Would you enjoy the min try of q card playing pastora Or one who attended horse races? How much would you enjoy the services on Sunday of pastor who on Saturday night was at the theater enjoy ing the average drama, which is made up of intrigue, deception, conjugal inidelity and immoral situations?
 The last test I will mention is the supreme one. How do these amusements affect our religious life and duty2 Innocent amuse- ment never gives us disrelish for religious things. Healthful and moral recreations never lessen our zeal in piety. Anything which lowers the type of our holy life is curse to us