Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-22
GOSPEL OF RECREATION.

wisdom of the founders of the state
OF Utah is found in their Interest III
the nmusements OF the people, ana
especially the young. AS early az i''s
the Social Hall was formally opcneu
with A sociable and a ball. Ihe peo-
ple must have amusemcnts- lh"'
was the sentiment OF Brigham Young
and those who were with him. Iney
had learned that truth in their asso-
Citations with the Prophet Joseph. Ana
so they provided. among the very hrs'
things. a place for social gatherinsS'
amusements, and dramatic perform
anccs.
Non .Mormons' of a certain class
have frequently criticized the Church
leaders. and members. for proViuihs
dances for the young. They have look
ed upon this as an evidence OF friVoi'y
md worldlIness But the "Mormons
arc now being fully vindicated IN TINS
as they have been in other matters'
and will be in everything. as the en-
lghtenment OF the world prosre''e''
Congress Is considering a measure
10 provide play grounds for the chii-
dren in the District of Columbia ana
n this Is adopted there Is no oouo'
Tint municipal governments all over
tb. country will follow suit Accord
ing to William f. Curtis New iork
spent sl23.o for the support OF play
grounds last summer: Chicago spent
$500. 600; Baltimore. s4s.53s; Pittsburg.
s22 $50; Cleveland, s43,st2, Buffalo, sl7-
A2o. san Francisco, $4,000; Cincinnati
$4,000 for the support of twelve play
grounds and s5Oo.0oo for the purchase
OF two sites, the money being raiseo
by the womens clubs Other cities
spsnt similar amounts, and indeed
nearly every city in tho United States
of : 0oO population or more Is now pro-
yiding the children of the poor with
chance to have healthful enjoyment
and exercise.
The people of this country are be-
ginning to recognize the Importance
and the value OF the play spirit ana
play opportunities for all ages and ooth
sexes. as essential to the development
of child and community life, but the
builders of this state recognized this
fact over half a century ago. -I.,7-
The churches, too, are beginning to
learn that they have sadly neglected
the gospel OF recreation" The North
western Christian Advocate. comment
ing on the money appropriated for
plnyrrounds In various cities. says:
Now what OF all this to the Church
lust this The church cannot afford to
stand apart from reform OF THIS
kind IL is we'll enough to tell people
what they must not do. A policy OF
prohibition has Its uses. But some
thing more must be done II the church
Is 10 keep its hold upon young life. or
even upon mature life for that matter
our nation Is rapidly developing a
passion for pleasure. There IS I'M
minent danger OF Its becoming a frenzy
for the worst forms OF dissipation. So
many people give themselves TO the
worst from sheer ignorance OF any
thing better; thoy go wrong because
no one has shown them better way
and they stay wrong because they have
gone wrong A thoughtful child was
asked one day why certain tree In
the garden was so crooked Her re-
body must have stepped on 1t when II
was little Ellis In all ages have had
to lament the dissolutc courses of their
offspring, but as has been well said, II
the ELS ancient and modern had
trembled more about the necessary
and suitable recreations OF their chill
dren there would be less cause in old
age to trcmble for the ark of God The
church must learn that the child Is
saved not by the repression OF It's
activities but by proper control and
guidance of thom. The existence OF
the play instinct is not freak OF
a mistake upon the part OF God; II Is
part of his method for bringing the
human family to himself. A church
life which disparages or neglects this
element In human nature. which, III
other words. has no gospel OF recrea'
ton, closes to itself n ready avenue
OF approach. especially to the young
and nbridges its influence for good Il
young and old alike. A church which
Justly prides itself upon being ident
fled With the great and momentou.
crises in human life could afford alst
to identify itself with the less moment
Gus, but more frequently recurring
times OF recreating leisure and de
light"
Tho recreation OF the young is q mat
ter to which the church must atten,
with a better understanding OF tn
human nature and a more earnest dc
sire TO save the little ones from be
ing stepped upon" Tho neglect OF tn
churches is the opportunity OF other
to establish dance halls and othe
places where boys and girls meet an
go astray together There should b
no room in civilized community 10
the low den. The spirit OF the pulpi
should prevail in the amusement hal
and the spirit of the amusement hal
should be pure enough for the sanct
uary. This is another Mormon" doc
trine that Is now being accepted by III
6erld as perfectly orthodox.