Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-04-16

0uuOOliHS 10 Une degrading ana SIM III
The task of defining what among
the various amusements are permis-
sible is not an easy one. The wheat
in a broad sense, might be separated
from the chaff, and yet there would
be shrunken kernels and here and
there some chaff particles might adj
here to the grain. AS the No. wheat,
contains no impurity, so that life
which aspires after grandest attain
ments will ignore every pleasure or
amusement which is in any degree
questionable. Some one says, "Do
not go too far in legitimate pleasure,
the borders of good and evil join"
No infallible rules can be given by
which we can be governed in the
choice of amusements. A certain
amusement which would be harmless
to one might be destructive to anoth-
er, and what would be permissible in
one place would be Objectionable in
another. So great is the number of
amusements, sports and pleasures that
young and old engage in that it
would be impossible in one article TO
attempt to name or discuss them sim
ely and we can only state the princi-
pies by which each conscientious per-
son may decide what are best suited
to his needs, his profession, his age
and standing.
First, amusements should be law
full, whether they conflict with our
notions or our wishes. 1t is not for
us to sit in Judgment on the wisdom
of laws or legislatures. In recreation,
as we'll as business, we should stand
of the law, remembering the apostles
injunction, "Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is
no power but of God; the powers that
be are ordained OF God. Whosoever,
therefore, resisteth the power, resist
eth the ordinance OF God; and they
that resist, shall receive to themselves
damnation. For rulers are not q ter
ror to good works, but to the evil.
Wilt thou then not be afraid of the
power? Do that which is good and
thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is a minister OF God to thee for
good. But if thou do that which is evil,
be afraid; for he beareth not the
sword in vain: for he is the minister
OF God, a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore
We must needs be subject not only for
wrath, but also for conscience's sake"
Again, they should be in accord
with the letter, and spirit, of the rules
of the church TO which we belong.
Our membership in the church is vol
untary; we sought the benefits to be
derived from the connection, and re-
alizing that its principles and rules
make it what it is, assented to its
principles, and agreed TO be govern
ed by its rules. Hence, while receiv-
ing its benefits, no one can be true TO
himself who INDUCES in pastimes that
are forbidden by the letter, or are at
variance with the spirit of it's regula-
tions. 1t is not enough for us TO say,
1--WE see no harm in these things;" we
have consented to abide by rules that
forbid them, and we can not indulge
in them, without FORGETTING our word
and honor.
To illustrate: No member OF the NJ.
E. church, can buy, sell, or use intoX-
icating liquors as beverage, dance,
play games Of chance, attend theaters,
horse races, patronize dancing schools. |
We should not indulge in amuse
ments which have the power to fas-
cinate us. AS they are incidental in /
life, when they have done their part /
in recreation and recuperation one
should turn TO his labors refreshed \
and strengthened. Fascinating amuse- /
ments absorb time and thought, and /.
cause the neglect of important duties. /.
A young man given to card playing |
and with no conscientious scruples |.
about the matter, gave up the game |
and its associations simply because il /
absorbed his thought and time and |
made progress in his studies impossi /
ble-a wise surrender of n foolish pas
time. We should be earnestly inter
ested and fascinated by those things /
only which pertain to the important |
business of life and the preparation
for the world to come.
No amusement should be tolerated |
which tends to break down the safe I
guards Of virtue. Few realize how /
closely related the hottest passions
are to the basest; how easily those
which make for excel
Ience may be transformed to make a
of vice. Some spark that /
shall light the flame Of passion may /