Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-22


1t is the fashion with large numbers OF
Americans to leave their homes during the
summer Some visit the country, others
the mountains or seashore, while those VINO
can afford the expense take voyage to
some foreign land. There are more women
than men who follow this custom. probably
three times as many. With some 1t Is con-
sidered a mark OF social standing and OF
good taste and refinement to take the an
nual outing. and they are considered poor
or vulgar who neglect 1t. AS consequence
the cities are deserted in large part during
July and August, the houses are dismantled
md closed or entrusted to servants, and
the resorts are crowded with people.
What shall we say of this practice? There
are some who regard it as fad. fash
ionable folly. an unwise expenditure of
money. They show, OF attempt to show,
that little or nothing is gained, and that in
reality much loss is sustained. They point
10 the interrupted family life. to the indul-
Rence in frivolous engagements, to the en-
durance of much discomfort, and they
c,lote instances where the visitors have
returned unfit for ordinary duties. On the
other hand. perhaps a larger number ar
que that the custom Is beneficial and should
be continued. and they state the case with
good show of wisdom. Evidently the sum-
mer outing has become one of the per-
r1anent social features of our time and we
should therefore determine how to use 1t.
a,,1 Sid of this sub
feet, too frequently overlooked is really
most important. This Is true not merely
of Christians. but also of all others. The
spiritual interests OF man are paramount
II they suffer he is injured in his most
central and vital part. No one can afford
to enter into any relation where the spirit
ual is turned aside or enfeebled. In the
summer time. when absent from home.
there is great need to guard the religious
part Of the nature with most watchful care.
On this ground they make most fearful
mistake who enter for a month or two into
those associations where ungodly influences
give tone to the social life Late hours,
with dancing and cards, with foolish gossip
and fashionable equipage, are extremely
hurtful to the delicate spiritual nature.
They tend to weaken that sense Of right
eousness and truth and purity which are
essential to noble character, and thereby
they drag down to lower level all those
qualities for which people ought to strive
on the score of morality alone A period
of few weeks passed amid such scenes
will infict lasting injury.
Our LORD in the text furnishes hint as
10 place. Come We apart" get away
from the ordinary scenes. Lay down the
burdens and the cares. Remove the har-
ness 1t is not we'll to be constantly en-
gagged in routine. The bent bow needs for
time to be unstrung and to regain some
OF It's elasticity. 1t is a mans religious
duty thus TO separate himself from the
things that engage him day by day. The
Master advised it. He calls all His disci-
pies now to such freedom from the stress
and strain. In this way they may enlarge
their experiences by entering into new asso-
Citations.
Come ye apart. But where? Into a des-
ert place. That meant into the country,
away from the people. II not entirely sep
arsted from men and women IT is well to
be largely free from them. Get back to
nature. Look upon the fields and the
woods. Listen to the lowing of the cattle.
the singing OF the birds and the ripping
of the brook. Back TO nature in all Its
freshness. It's simplicity and beauty-that
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