The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-20


 to earnest Christian fife. for 1t has It's sanction. Now, observe, tt ts not nec- essary to discuss particular sorts of amusement and point out how each Is innocent or not, as the case may be. What we wish to do fs to state the principle by which the Christian may determine for himself (and no one has a right to determine 1t for him) the innocence of any given kind of recrea- ton. Suppose. for instance. 1t de- braves or debauches our morals7 Then 1t Is not an inocent amusement. Sup pose 1t vulgarfzes and makes coarse our speech? Then 1t Is not innocent. Suppose 1t lessens our reverence for high and holy things? Then 1t Is not innocent. Suppose 1t facilitates and defiles our minds and hearts? Then II is not innocent. If these principles be applied. the Innocence of any recre- ation will be at once tested, and the Christian should act accordingly.
 Must Be Moderate.
 But even after the Christian has de- cided an amusement is innocent. he must still be on his guard lest he in- dulge in 1t immoderately. Hence, the second great principle is: moderation. Indeed, the chief danger, perhaps. and an almost ever-present danger. cer- tainly, to most people while engaging in recreation, Is that of going to ex- cess This is peculiarly true of us as Americans. For our temperament Is highly nervous, restlessly eager, and often exceedingly intense. Therefore, 1t is the case our amusements only too frequently dominate us. sweep us of our feet, and. while they may be lawful in themselves, are carried to unlawful excess. That means dissipa- tion, and dissipation of whatever sort, Is always sin. We see this Illustrated continually. Take the instance of out door sports. They are good in them- selves, and deserve commendation as long as they are kept true to their original purpose, which Is that of pastime. But suppose they degenerate into coarse and vulgar rivalty. utilized ing a regular profession. and utilized to gratify gambling. which am almost tempted to say is national passion with us. Then have they passed be- yond the limits of moderation. And that means the faithful Christian should have nothing at all to do with them.
 Must Be Genuine.
 The third great principle which ought to guide us in amusement Is: II mind amusement has a definite and rightfu1 place in the life of every Christian.
 That being so, we ought to be care- full to see that 1t shall fairly serve its purpose, which is actually and truly to recreate (re-create) us. But such Is by no means the case with only too many forms of amusement. Look at the ordinary ball. for instance. How frequently 1t is not recreation, but dissipation. It is characterized by unseemly hours, indigestible food and the immoderate use of stimulants. Therefore those who take part therein are rendered unfit for the duties of the following day. Remember, any sort of entertainment, under any cir cumstances, which does not leave us fresher and brighter than 1t found us, Is not genuine recreation. And Christian ought to have nothing to do with 1t. for. however respectable In the eyes of the world. 1t is down right dissipation. In a word, 1t Is sinful.
 Now suppose we do possess these principles of recreation. Is that suf- ficient? Surely not. for the possess sion alone of principles. however exalt- ed, helps us nothing at all. It is their application in daily life anj to daily conduct that counts. Therefore. what shall we dor Are we to be governed by what our neighbors say or think? Are we to be regulated by church rules7 As all experience teaches. these restraints have never proved to be of practical and lasting value. Why, even when the state enacts sumptuary laws of the most drastic nature a way Is found always. by which they may be evaded. Nor do we Christians need these things. They cannot in the slightest degree. help us to become better men and women iR our hearts from which proceed the issues of life and death. Popular opinion. church to teach us temperance. or self-con- trol, (and that is what the word "tem- perance" means in the original of the New Testament), in our amusements or anything else. Nor are they neces- sary to Christians.
 Let us therefore be most careful and prayerful against the all too pre- vailinE danger of excess in amuse- ment, danger of defying it, of making 1t the end of life, rather than a means to an end. Let us always bear in mind that while our complex natures need amusement and have a God given right to it, the need should be satis- fled and the right be exercised, &C., cordinR to the Christian principles of innocence, moderation. and genuine ness. Let us make faithful and con- tinual use of every means of grace that the love of Christ may be deep ened in our hearts, and our characters sanctified by thezpresence of the Holy Spirit in our live4 If this be so with us. then shall we use recreation as becometh the followers of the Cruel fled One, use it with that wise and self-controlled liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.