The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-02
A WORD TO THOSE WHO
SEEK USELESS AMUSEMENT.

Getting the Best Out of Life" was the
subject OF the Reverend d. X. Dungan's
sermon at Mount Cabanne Church yester-
day. He took his text from Pet. H. 10, IL
For he that would love life.
And good days
Let him refrain his tongue from evil.
And his lips that they speak no srie:
And let him turn away from evil. and do good {:
Let him seek peace and pursue IL.
In part the speaker said:
This Is Peters idea of getting the most
out OF life. Most persons out of tho church
and many IN II hold different view. Re-
iigion with them is rather to keep them out
of he'll than make them Joyous IN this life
or useful to their fellow-men. Religion will
do for an hour on Sunday. II the day Is
not too fine. In that case they would be
been constantly employed In business all
the week and their health viii be seriously
impaired unless they can have fresh air.s
They must relax.
TO such persons a sermon Is always dry
and the communion is only a mere form. II
the preacher jusgles with words. and revels
amid flashes OF oratory and rings out the
wild bells Of sensational claptrap. they
may endure the service for an hour. pro-
vided the solos and the choir performance
are up to date. Under no circumstances.
however. can persons OF such delicate sensi-
bilities attend more than one service a
week. As for prayer meetings and Bible
classes. some way they never had any taste
for them. II they survive the forenoon
sermon, they will be I'm need OF a ride 10
rest them. but II It rains or is cold. a sleep
Will do just as well. Evening services are
too taxing on their nerves; they are deli
cate. OF course II would be restful during
the week once or twice TO attend the opera.
a round dance and a card party. where they
have q little wine for their stomach's ache
and their awful iniirmites.
In this way all their good resolutions ard
moral convictions and spiritual elevations
ooze out or sputter away. II sickness is in
the family they cannot be spared. On the
following, day 1, is different: they can be
filled with the namby-pamby. shiliy-shally
nothings Of human existence that they have
neither time nor taste for that which would
permanently ennoble and boss.
As for benevolence, seeking out the needy.
helping the helpless. calming disturbances.
pouring oil on troubled waters. there are
pie OF sensitive nerves. They can plan and
execute q picnic. a social full OF fun and
frolic; hurrah where they may demon
They have strength for such things: in fact.
they have tried and know for themselves
that they are good for health, Blu: the
such an idea Will do for preacher. but for
them there is no life in It God save them
tongues and meant that they should be
used! They can't shut their ears against
ANYTHING. nor Birdie their tongues TO Keep
from mentioning II. They have the feeling
OF the modern dailes: the world wants 10
tian duty to fill that long-felt want. They
are more generous than the papers; they
give GU, the news for nothing, with the
THAT they should use no guile is IN
reasonahle. One-half Of the enjoyment of
lie would be over II they are To be pro-
but little. and when they do. # would De
a strain on their nerves, not to say on
their conscience. not to try to deceive the
Lord They thank the Lord that they are
not as other people: they fast % twice a
week. give tithcs of all they possess 81
But to acknowledge that they are sinners
(ftr1 nj tn haaL or,I 10
as form would not be in good taste for
Them. IL might do for others but not for
theih; Don't blame the yodng lady for say
the same time wish him anywhere but
there, as she expects the other fellow to
come tina. evening. She has seen her moth.
er kiss the lacy through walls ,showing
her taste for dry goods. and then remark |
about the same person when she had gone
planted in her soul TO I'll a field with moral |
ssnd-burrs. and pestiferous weeds. Is Il |
true that we shall reap what We sow? If
so. mothers. quit deception. and believe |
do you ask IL | think there should be |
no release from the sober hard thinking
say. is life a monotone with no enlivening |
cords? Shall there be no fresh breezes to
brush away duh care? Is this TO be a |
world OF drudgery. where We can Only bear
burdens and think of The day of judgment?
No. no. we are 10 love life and see good |
days. God wants US 10 be happy. II II |
were Not WOuil NOT nave gwen us L
so many means of sinless pleasure. The
trouble is that our boys only think OF hap
piness In connection with the worthless.
We must have the natatorum and the |
gymnasium. Though II might do as well |
10 take bath at home and use the ak and /
the wood saw. Only We have trained our ]
selves to the idea that We can get no 1
pleasure In any way Of utility. l was \
raised to walk and ride. and chop. and cut /
wheat and shuck corn. And for the spare /
hours had a hunger for knowledge. / |
had enjoyed the exercise. had the health, |
and relish for books. That was the old /
way, and still there has been no improve
ment In raising boys.
"But seek amusements II you like. but \
'efuse those which are injurious to you /
n any one else
First Do nothing that is worthless;
hat is a waste of time
Second. Do not waste money, for there
Ire multitudes who need
Third. Do not do that which il wrong
" that Is doubtful
Fourth. Do not Indulge in that which