Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-01-19
coNcERSlNe AMusEMENrs.

CONCERNING AMUSEMENTS.
II IL characteristic Of the Latlcr.day
Saints that a definite policy Of their
leading men has been 10 deal directly
with the subject Of amusemcn,s Tor tho
people, and to bring these under r.
religious influence whereby all forms
Of suitable recreation would be-
hallowod 10 the good Of those paflicl.
paIlug therein. In pursuance Of this
policy, musical and dramatic euter-
tairmonts. parties, reunions, colebra-
ii0ne, ETC., have been conducted under
tho supervision Of local Church
authorities In various wards aud
districts, and o. consequence the
Amusement feature, which 10 90
essential 10 the cheerful life especially
Of tho young, has been relieved VI
Objectionable associations that NAY
accompany It under some conditions,
and has been conducive to the good Of
tho community.
Ia religious view, participation
In recteative nmusementH IN tenn.
pcrato degree IL commendnble. 10 Il
one Of the agencies productive Of ga
glad heart and cheerful o0unte.
nance" In which the Lord delights,
therefore 10 10 bo encouraged In that
form. But immodouto or untimely
indulgence therein IL religiOusly
wrong, Iuet M coarse, loud laughter IL
sinful, while the morflmont ana smiles
Of happlnesa are Of heavenly bench.
couce. Therefore while parties aud
entertainments should bo provided IN
which the people may participate, they
should not be carried to excess, nor be
o5untenanced outside Of proper regula.
items and associations.
The counsel 10 ward authorities
haq been . uaSs Snoi,
ments In tholr jurlsdlctlonn con.
Quoted under certain arrangements
and safeguards that would render them
beneficial, excluding everything OF an
unteemly character, and taking special
care 10 dobar from these assemblages
among the Saints those whose Associa-
ton would tend 10 evil. Parties and
entertainments whore this counsel 10
conformed to thus are agencies In pre-.
serving an elevated moral tone aud IN
producing social improvement; while
n disregard Of this advice 10 sure 20
bring results OF different character.
This religious control Of amusumenis
has developed highly commendablo
features, one Of which may be named
as an illustration, this being the season
at which It 10 llmoly. This Is the old
folks gatherings, which 10 the summer
take form In highly enjoyable gxcur.
fions for which Utah has gained more
than national renown. Throughout
various Stakes OF Zion these have boon
receiving the usual attention at this
season, the next one on the lnpa that
we have Information Of being tho old
folks party nj American Fork, on
Wednesday next, the 23rd Instant, and
following upon that will no the regular
old folks winter entertainment IN the
Salt Lake TheAter, on the afternoon Of
February o, whom all over 40 yeara
Of age, all tho widows, the orphans,
deaf mutee, and others whom too oileu
the world torgets, arc given ireo and
open welcome, regardless Of any dis.
tlnoIlons Of creed, color, or wealth. An
are Invited, all are wanted there, 10 be-
made happy,l
These gatherings ARE only one Of the
practical suggestions OF good that IL.
suits from religious control in amuse.
ments, The beu,hls that come 10 the
aged, inilrm, and unfortunate are no
greater comparatively than those
which accrue 20 tho llght,healt5I
youth. Every ward Ia Zion should
afford opportunity to $50 youth for
recreation within reasonable umls.
Whenever this is not provided ioruui,
rs a consequence Of the neglect, the
young are compelled TO go elsewhere
for the amusement essential to cheer.
tulnegs and Tor which their
natures yenrn, there Ga a
oulpAbility ON the part oil
those responsib.e for such q rouIl.i D..
A shepbord o. recrOant 10 his uust %
lac refuses o. wlIiully negIeo,s to pro-
vide Tor his dock that which is pason.
tinl to thelr well.being Ani protection;
aud any who may 10 some extent thus
force those under their wafchcgre tU
seek recreation IN other channels, bear
a responsibility they would be better
rid Oh Al the same time, pandeung
to al extreme desire Tor hilarity aud
folly IL not to DO thought OF as per.
Experience in this Territory has
Ihown the virtue OF religious Influence
md control In amuBements. So lar az
he Latter.day Saints arc concerned, its |
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