The Delta independent., 1901-05-24
TALMAGE'S SERMON.
ADJUSTMENTS THE susJRcr ON
LAST SUNDAY.
Let the Youss Men Now Arise aad Play
Dsfors Us"-sseond sanssl. Chapter
II. Verse 1A-sports as . Msaas 70
~ End-Ths Home Life.

-
Washington. May 19.-This discourse
of DR.. Talmage is in accord with all
innocent hilarities. while It repre-
hends amusements that belittle or de-
prave; text. II Samuel II. II. Let
the young men now arise and play be-
fore u.s."
There are two armies encamped by
the pool Of Gibeon. The time hangs
heavily on their hands. One army pro-
poses game OF sword fencing. Moth
ing could be more healthful and inno-
cent The other army accepts the chal-
lenge. Twelve men against IL men,
the sport open. But something went
adversely. Perhaps one Of the swords
men got an unlucky clip or In some
way had his Ire aroused and that which
opened In sportfulness ended in vio-
lence. each one taking his contestant
by the hair and with the sword thrust
ing him in the side. SO that that which
opened In innocent fun ended in the
massacre Of all the "a sportsmen. Was
there ever better illustration Of what
was true then and Is true now-that
that which Is innocent may be made
destructive!
What Of a worldly nature is more
important and strengthening and in
, nocent than amusement. and yet what
has counted more victims? ! have NO
sympathy with a straightjacket reiig-
ion. This is a very bright world to
me. and ] propose To do all can to
, make II bright for others. never could
keep step to a dead march. A book
years ago issued says that Christian
man has right to some amusements.
For instance. IL he comes home at night
weary from his work and. feeling the
need Of recreation. puts on his slippers
and goes Into his garret and walks
lively round the floor several times
there can be no harm in II. believe
the church Of God made a great mis-
take In trying to suppress the sport
fulness Of youth and drive out from
men their love OF amusement. II God
ever implanted anything in US, he i'm
planted this desire. But instead Of pro-
vidinE this demand Of our nature the
church Of God has for the main part
ignored IL As In q riot the mayor
plants 4 battery at the end of the
street and has II fired Oh. SO that every
thing 10 cut down that happens to
stand In the range. the good a. well
~ the bad. 20 there are men In the
church who plant their batteries Of
condemnation and frs away indiscrim-
inately. Everything 10 condemned.
But Paul the apostle commends those
who use the world without abusing 1t.
and In the natural world God has done
everything to please and amuse US.
In poetic figure We sometimes speak
OF natural objects as being In pain. but
II 10 . mere fancy. Poets say the
clouds weep. but they never yet shed q
tear. and that winds sigh. but they
never did have trouble. and that the
storm howis. but II never lost Its tenn
per. The world IL n rose and the uni
verse . garland.
KInA Oae fer YsaFDslvea
project certain principles by which
you may Judge in regard to any amuse-
ment or recreation. finding out for
ycurseif whether II Is right or wrong.
remark. In the FIRST place. that
you can Judge Of the moral character
Of any amusement by its healthful re-
suit or by its baleful reaction. There
are people who seem made up OF hard
facts. They arc a combination OF null
tiplication tables and statistics. II you
show them an exquisite picture they
viii begin to discuss the pigments In
volved In the coloring. II you show
h-s
II to botanical analysis. which 10 only
the post mortem examination OF now
er. They have no rebound In their
nature. They never do anything more
than smile. There are no great tides
Of feeling surginE up from the depths
Of their soul In billow after billow Of
reverberating laughter. They seem a.
II nature had built them by contract
and made bunGling job out Of It. But.
blessed be God. there are people In the
world who have bright faces and whose
life 10 q song. an anthem. \ pean OF
victory. Even their troubles are like
the vines that crawl up the side OF q
great tower on the top OF which the
sunlight sits and the soft airs Of sum
mer hold perpetual carnival. They are
the people you like to have come to
your house: they are the people like
to have come to my house. II you but
touch the hem Of their garments you
are healed.
Now. It Is these exhilarant and SYM
pathetic and warm hearted people that
are most tempted to pernicious amuse-
ments. In proportion As = ship 10
swift II wants strong helmsman. In
proportion a. horse 10 gay It wants
stout driver, and these people Of sx-
uberant nature will do we'll to look At
the reaction Of all their amusements.
II an amusement sends you home at
night nervous. DO that you cannot
sleep, and you rise up In the morning
not because you are slept out. but BE-
cause your duty drass you from your
slumbers. you have been whore you